A South Korean activist holding a placard depicting Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi shouts slogans during an anti-Japan rally in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul on June 21.

Roh quoted Koizumi as saying in response to his proposal that Tokyo consider such a new facility in connection with the international row over Koizumi's repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine.

The two leaders remained divided over Koizumi's Yasukuni visits, according to a Japanese official who briefed reporters.

During the talks, Roh indicated to Koizumi he should stop paying homage at Yasukuni, saying the visits are the core element in the two countries' history-related issues, the official said.

But Koizumi only reiterated his stance that his visits are meant to show his resolve that Japan will never wage war again, the official said.

In a joint news conference in Seoul, Roh said his two-hour meeting with Koizumi failed to resolve the differences over historical issues that have hurt bilateral ties in recent months.

Roh said he had an "honest and sincere discussion" with Koizumi during the talks that are believed to have mostly focused on historical issues.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 25, 2005
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