Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will pay an official three-day trip to Seoul from Thursday at the invitation of President Kim Dae-jung. On arrival, Thursday afternoon, Prime Minister Koizumi will visit the National Cemetery to lay flowers at a memorial tower and in the evening see a performance at the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts.

In Summit Talks, Friday, President Kim and Koizumi will discuss cooperative measures for successfully co-hosting the World Cup, compliance on seven agreements in previous talks, and proceeding with a free trade area. The two leaders are expected to agree to establish a co-research association with the participation of governmental, academic and business figures.

This is Koizumi's second since October 2001 and this time he will also visit Busan and Gyeongju after meeting with Prime Minister Lee Han-dong and the leaders of ruling and opposition parties.

(Kim Min-bai, baibai@chosun.com )