G20 Toronto Summit

President Lee Myung-bak met with U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on the sidelines of the G20 Toronto Summit on June 26 to discuss issues of mutual concern. In his meeting with President Obama, President Lee expressed gratitude for the great sacrifice that the United States had made to defend Korea in the Korean War. The President further thanked President Obama and the U.S. Congress for reconfirming the importance of the Korea-U.S. alliance. The two leaders agreed that the ROK-U.S. military alliance has contributed greatly to peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula as well as in Northeast Asia. The two leaders expressed hope that the upcoming 2+2 meeting between the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries, the first of its kind scheduled for this July, will strengthen bilateral ties. In regard to the Cheonan incident, President Lee appreciated President Obama's full support in Korea’s investigation and stance. The two leaders reaffirmed their views that the North’s sinking of the ROK ship was an outright military provocation that goes against all international treaties, including the Armistice Treaty and UN Charter, and needs to be dealt with in a firm manner. President Lee explained Korea's latest policy toward the North is part of the efforts to bring out a sincere attitude from the North and take inter-Korean relations to a new level. President Obama expressed his whole-hearted support and credited Korea for showing both restraint and firmness in dealing with the matter. The two leaders acknowledged that the two countries have been working hard for a smooth handover of wartime operational control (OPCON) from the United States to Korea. However in due consideration of the changed circumstances in the region and the request by the Korean government, the two leaders reviewed the appropriateness of the timeline for the handover and decided to delay the date by three years to December 2015. During the Korean War, Korea handed over peacetime and wartime operational control to the U.S.-led United Nations Command. Korea later regained peacetime control but its wartime operational control wasn’t due until April 2012. The two heads of state agreed to work for an early realization of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which both leaders view as benefitting economies of both countries as well as strengthening the military alliance. In his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, President Lee discussed issues regarding regional security, international cooperation and policy on North Korea. This is the first time President Lee had talks with the new Japanese Prime Minister since his inauguration early this month. President Lee expressed appreciation for the Japanese government’s full support for Korea’s stance on the Cheonan incident. Touching upon Korea-Japan relations, Prime Minister Kan said the two countries must continue to work together for a new future and that Japan shouldn’t be afraid to face its past. President Lee answered that he too hopes the two countries will open their hearts and build cooperative relations based on trust.