Economy tops Seoul summit agenda

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso has held summit talks with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, on the second day of his visit to Seoul.

Japan and South Korea have been hard hit by the global financial crisis.

Discussions covered a possible free trade deal and other ways to reinforce business and economic cooperation, the BBC correspondent in Seoul said.

Since taking office eleven months ago, President Lee has pushed for improved ties with Japan.

He has held regular meetings with Japanese leaders.

He has also resumed top level visits to Tokyo, which were suspended in 2005 in protest at then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's repeated trips to a controversial Tokyo shrine that honours Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals.

Talking business

Mr Aso arrived in Seoul on Sunday with 20 Japanese business executives in tow.

Representing corporate giants like Toyota, Canon and Nippon Steel, the delegation was a clear signal that Monday's summit meeting with Mr Lee would focus on economic issues, the BBC's John Sudworth said.

"President Lee agreed to my view that Asia should be the growth centre in the world and play a big role in the global economy recovery," Mr Aso told a news conference after the leaders' meeting.


Credits: BBC