News Koizumi, Kim hope for World Cup success

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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and South Korean President Kim Dae Jung said Jan. 1 that they hope their countries have success this year in co-hosting the World Cup soccer finals and boosting bilateral exchanges.

The leaders made the remarks in separate videotaped New Year's Day messages to the Japanese public. While Koizumi's message was meant for both the Japanese and South Korean people, Kim prepared a separate message for South Koreans.

The World Cup finals to begin in May "will be the first-ever activity to be carried out jointly by Japan and South Korea for the whole world," Koizumi said. "We Japanese hope to join hands and hearts with the South Korean people and make this a success."

Koizumi and Kim said that they hope Japanese and South Koreans will boost contacts by making use of events to be held in 2002, which they have designated the year of exchanges between the two peoples.

"It is important for neighbors to see each other often," Kim said in his message. "We must see each other and hold talks sufficiently. Where there is dialogue, there is understanding and where there is understanding, there is cooperation."

In his own message, Koizumi said, "I hope the two peoples will deepen exchanges by getting to know each other, renewing connections with old acquaintances, cooperating and deepening friendship."

日韓首脳がW杯メッセージ交換

小泉純一郎首相と韓国の金大中大統領が、それぞれ新年の辞で、サッカーのワールドカップの成功を祈った。

Shukan ST: Jan. 11, 2002

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