President Kim Dae-jung will pay a three-day visit to Japan from June 30 to watch the 2002 World Cup Finals and to hold summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Cheong Wa Dae spokeswoman Park Sun-sook announced Monday.

Park said President Kim would be seated at the Yokohama stadium on June 30 evening with Japanese emperor Akihito and Koizumi to watch the final and closing ceremony as a co-host leader.

Kim is also expected to exchange broad opinions on ways to keep and improve the bilateral friendly relations, which have become stronger than ever with the co-hosting of the world's largest international soccer fiesta. He will also discuss issues concerning the Korean peninsular and North East Asia with Koizumi on July 1, and pay a courtesy call on Emperor Akihito on July 2, followed by a banquet.

Koizumi participated in the opening ceremony of the 2002 World Cup held in Seoul on May 31.

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