In a joint press conference, Lee said, "Prime Minister Aso and I agreed to join efforts to help more Japanese businesses advance into the Korean parts and materials industries." He added his government designated Gumi in North Gyeongsang Province and three other locations as industrial parks for the parts and materials industries and will support Japanese businesses so they can "advance into Korea without a hitch."

Aso said, "We exchanged views on ways to further strengthen a mature partnership between Korea and Japan. We concurred that Asia, as an open growth center, should play a large role in helping the global economy recover."

The two leaders agreed to continue working-level talks on resuming free trade negotiations and expressed hope that they will produce results that are mutually beneficial. They also agreed to cooperate to overcome the global financial crisis while expanding the scope of the Chiang Mai Initiative to establish a common Asian fund.

(englishnews@chosun.com )