Cheong Wa Dae says S. Korea-Japan summit talks needed to resolve bilateral problem

SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday it is important for the leaders of South Korea and Japan to meet each other in order to resolve pending issues that have strained bilateral ties.

The presidential office was responding to a news report that Japan's new prime minister, Yoshihide Suga, will consider boycotting an annual trilateral forum, expected to be held in Seoul later this year, unless Seoul takes measures especially to address the dispute over compensating Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor.

"Our government's position is that a meeting (between Moon and Suga) shouldn't be a precondition for a resolution to the pending issue," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok said at a press briefing.

They need to hold talks to resolve the problem, he stressed, adding Seoul will continue efforts to hold the trilateral summit also involving Beijing.

lcd@yna.co.kr
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