South Korean Minister of National Defense Kim Dong-shin agreed Saturday in a meeting with the chief of staff of the Japanese Self Defense Force, Genral Nakatani to normalize military exchanges, which had been on hold since the publication of a distorted history textbook in Japan last year. Spokesman Hwang Eui-don announced the agreement specified exchange visits between high profile military figures within the year, including the South Korean head of the joint chiefs of staff and the leader of the Japanese air self-defense force; the holding of a second joint rescue exercise at sea in September; and exchanges of athletes and military bands.

The two agreed to continue to share information and to install a hotline betwen defense ministries during the co-hosting of the 2002 World Cup Finals to ensure the success of the event. They also noted it was desirable to cooperate closely in peace keeping operations in East Timor.

(Yu Yong-won, kysu@chosun.com )