Despite efforts in Seoul and Tokyo, Japanese Emperor Akihito is unlikely to visit Korea this year and may not even make it before the opening ceremony in June 2002 for the World Cup soccer finals.

Korea and Japan are co-hosts for the next World Cup. Seoul will have the opening ceremony and Japan the final match.

Government officials said Tuesday it is mainly because Japan prefers to wait until the domestic political situation in both countries is stable and inter-Korean relations are firmly on track.

A high-ranking government official said on condition of anonymity... his visit to Seoul this year will thus be impossible.

South Korea has lobbied for a visit since the late 1980s when then-president Roh Tae-woo tried to develop future-oriented bilateral ties. Roh's successor, former President Kim Young-sam, also invited the Japanese emperor to Seoul, as has President Kim Dae-jung.

In particular, former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil expressed his wish that Akihito visit Seoul one year prior to the World Cup festivities. In response, Japanese officials said they would consider a visit and treat the matter in their own way.