S. Korean PM attends Japanese emperor's enthronement
- 5 years ago
South Korea's Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon attended the Japanese Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony today.
Prior to his departure, he expressed hope that his visit could help ease the tensions between Seoul and Tokyo.
Lee Kyung-eun reports.
Before he left for Japan Tuesday morning, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said in a Facebook post that he will celebrate the start of a new era under Emperor Naruhito... and send condolences to the people affected by the latest typhoon.
The cermony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo was attended by Lee and South Korean ambassador to Japan, Nam Kwan-pyo,...and heads of state and royals more than 180 countries, including Britain's Prince Charles.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in did not attend himself, but the Prime Minister's Office in Seoul has confirmed that he sent a letter to the emperor as well as one for Abe.
The content of the letter has not been revealed, but experts say that it is likely to emphasize the importance of dialogue and improving bilateral ties.
It will be delivered to the palace through the foreign ministries of the two countries.
Earlier in the day, the South Korean Prime Minister expressed hope that his visit could contribute to achieving an amicable and mature relationship between Seoul and Tokyo.
He said he has a special connection to the centuries-old enthronement ceremony.
Back in 1990, he was a foreign correspondent in Tokyo for the Korean newspaper Donga-ilbo, and he reported on the enthronement of the current emperor's father, Akihito.
After the ceremony, Lee paid tribute at a monument honoring a Korean hero, Lee Soo-hyun, who died in 2001 while rescuing a Japanese man who'd fallen onto the subway tracks.
After that, he was due to attend a banquet dinner at around 7 p.m.
In the remaining days, he is set to meet with young Japanese people, politicians and business leaders, but there's a particular focus on Thursday... when he will sit down with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Reports in South Korea say that meeting will last around 10 minutes.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.
Prior to his departure, he expressed hope that his visit could help ease the tensions between Seoul and Tokyo.
Lee Kyung-eun reports.
Before he left for Japan Tuesday morning, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said in a Facebook post that he will celebrate the start of a new era under Emperor Naruhito... and send condolences to the people affected by the latest typhoon.
The cermony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo was attended by Lee and South Korean ambassador to Japan, Nam Kwan-pyo,...and heads of state and royals more than 180 countries, including Britain's Prince Charles.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in did not attend himself, but the Prime Minister's Office in Seoul has confirmed that he sent a letter to the emperor as well as one for Abe.
The content of the letter has not been revealed, but experts say that it is likely to emphasize the importance of dialogue and improving bilateral ties.
It will be delivered to the palace through the foreign ministries of the two countries.
Earlier in the day, the South Korean Prime Minister expressed hope that his visit could contribute to achieving an amicable and mature relationship between Seoul and Tokyo.
He said he has a special connection to the centuries-old enthronement ceremony.
Back in 1990, he was a foreign correspondent in Tokyo for the Korean newspaper Donga-ilbo, and he reported on the enthronement of the current emperor's father, Akihito.
After the ceremony, Lee paid tribute at a monument honoring a Korean hero, Lee Soo-hyun, who died in 2001 while rescuing a Japanese man who'd fallen onto the subway tracks.
After that, he was due to attend a banquet dinner at around 7 p.m.
In the remaining days, he is set to meet with young Japanese people, politicians and business leaders, but there's a particular focus on Thursday... when he will sit down with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Reports in South Korea say that meeting will last around 10 minutes.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.