SEOUL, KOREA - The 45th Korea-Japan Forum has been held at the Lotte Hotel Seoul on April 24, with more than 300 participants from both countries.
Yasuo Fukuda, former Prime Minister of Japan (2007-2008), said in a keynote speech, "It would be serious problem if political issues such as the Yasukuni Shrine visits, Dokdo dispute, and history textbook distortions affect the two countries' economic relations."
"In order for the two countries to overcome these difficulties, it is essential that a summit meeting be held as soon as possible. The leaders in both countries must work hard to create an amicable atmosphere in which working-level diplomats and government officials can talk their way out of the quandary," he added.
In the forum, a total of 197 Korean business leaders were present including Cho Suk-rai, Hyosung Group chairman (and president of the Korea-Japan Economic Association), as well as Kang Shin-Ho (Dong-A Pharmaceutical chairman), Kang Ho-moon (Samsung Electronics vice chairman), and Park Sam-gu (Kumho Asiana Group chairman).
From the Japanese side, 108 representatives attended the forum including Mikio Sasaki, former chairman of Mitsubishi Corp. (and president of the Japan-Korea Economic Association), Masaaki Taira (Vice-Minister in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), and Hitoshi Ogita (Asahi Group Holdings chairman).
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