The leaders of South Korea and Japan have met to discuss the upcoming World Cup soccer (football) finals, which will be co-hosted by both nations. 

After the summit in Seoul Friday, South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told a press conference that they had agreed to work closely to make the games a success. 

The leaders also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties, including a joint study into a free trade area between their countries. They also signed an agreement to promote investment. 

On the subject of North Korea, Mr. Koizumi said that dialogue with Pyongyang is important, but that it is difficult to put aside issues such as human rights and the abduction of Japanese citizens by the North and continue negotiations and food donations. 

Japan has suspended food donations and talks with North Korea, accusing the communist nation of kidnapping as many as 11 Japanese during the 1970's and 1980's to train its spies on Japanese language and culture. 

Upon Mr. Koizumi's arrival Thursday, activists held small protest rallies. But, reports say they were much more low-key than the angry demonstrations during the Japanese prime minister's first visit to Seoul last year. 

Mr. Koizumi will tour historical sites outside Seoul before returning to Japan on Saturday. 

Some information for this report provided by AP, Reuters and AFP.

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