South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan came to an understanding with his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba that the two countries must keep calm to contain the recent conflict over historical issues between the two countries.

Kim had been accompanying President Lee Myung-bak to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vladivostok, Russia and met with Gemba at the official dinner feast on September 8th where the two officials agreed it was necessary to develop the bilateral relationship in a forward-looking manner.

The two ministers also agreed to cooperate closely on North Korean issues, as well as economic problems and cultural issues along with keeping close communication between the two foreign ministries.