hankyoreh

President-elect Lee Myung-bak told foreign correspondents on Thursday that “for the sake of mature Korea-Japan relations” he “does not want to tell Japan to apologize or engage in self-reflection.”

Speaking to the international media at the Korea Press Center on Seoul’s Taepyeongno boulevard, Lee said it is a “fact” that “Japan has apologized in form,” but that because they were formalities, these apologies “have not moved (the hearts of) the Korean people.”

Speaking about relations with China, the president-elect said he would like to see deeper relations “in areas other than just economics,” but that he would like to see “gradual examination of a free trade agreement with the Chinese.” He also said he would consider attending the Beijing Olympics if invited to do so by the government there.

During his presidential campaign, Lee said he would “speak up to North Korea,” but during Thursday’s press conference he said he was “not trying to be provocative” and “just meant I will have dialogue that is more frank.”

“Having North and South speak with open hearts will be helpful in resolving problems,” he said.

“My biggest interests in North Korea are the North Korean nuclear issue and the lives of ordinary Northerners,” he said, adding that issues like family reunions and the return of South Korean prisoners of war and Southerners abducted by the North in the decades after the war can be resolved through agreement.

Asked if he would invite a North Korean delegation to his inauguration on February 25, Lee said there has yet to be any formal contact from Pyongyang, but that he would welcome the attendance of an official North Korean delegation.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]