A group of veteran political and economic leaders from Japan and South Korea tasked with finding ways to improve strained relations has concluded its first meeting by setting a goal to make progress to honor the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties.
The nongovernmental group that assembled in Tokyo for the two-day meeting on Sunday comprises 12 people, including former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and former South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hong-koo.
On the heels of a commitment made by the countries' foreign ministers in Seoul on Saturday to foster closer ties, the group aims to bring talks between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Park Geun-hye closer to reality.