South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will have a summit meeting in Kagoshima, Japan, on Friday to discuss issues of mutual interest, Chong Wa Dae said Wednesday.

"Main agendas of the summit talks will include the continuing impasse on the North Korean(DPRK) nuclear issue and the envisioned setup of a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two nations," Chung Woo-sung, presidential secretary on foreign policy, said during a media briefing.

The two leaders will also discuss Japan's alleged plan to provide Korean nationals with permanent visa exemptions and increasing the flights between Kimpo and Haneda airports to promote travel, Chung said.

South Korea has been demanding Japan increase flights between the two airports since the Narita and Incheon airports are too far from their respective capitals.

Regarding the nuclear issue, they will agree on the need to resume the stalled six-party talks at the earliest date possible to find a peaceful resolution to the standoff over DPRK's bid to develop nuclear weapons.

Roh is set to make a statement concerning the issue of modern history involving the two nations, including Japan's forceful conscription of Koreans during its 1910-1945 colonial rule of the peninsula. It draws attention as it will come when bilateral relations have continued to sour since a top court in Japan ruled against a compensation suit for colonial victims and a series of remarks by Japanese officials distorting the recent history.

Koizumi is expected to call on South Korea in dealing with the issue of DPRK recently sending false remains of a kidnapped Japanese woman.

DPRK's move has prompted Japan to seek countermeasures, including discontinuing economic assistance to the impoverished nation.

"The two leaders will reconfirm the need that the bilateral alliance, along with the Tokyo-Washington alliance, should play a role in promoting peace and stability in Northeast Asia and the Korean peninsula, as well," Chung said.

The summit talks will be the second part of the "shuttle summit" between the two nations since the first meeting took place on Cheju Island.

Source: Agencies