UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for the leaders of Japan, China and South Korea to cooperate for better relations, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported on Monday.
He urged the three countries to make efforts to resolve historical and other issues, as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Ban made the comment in an interview with NHK in the northeastern Japanese city of Sendai on the sidelines of UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. "People often say the 21st century will be led by Asia-Pacific countries, so it is very important for Japan, China and South Korea to maintain a harmonious and mutually cooperative relationship," Ban was quoted as saying.
"Historical issues are yet to be resolved and he sincerely hopes the leaders of these countries look to a better future," said the official, adding that he particularly wants Japanese leaders to have a broader future oriented vision so that the issues are resolved as soon as possible.
Ban also said he is ready to visit North Korea at any time, but relations between South and North Korea are at a low point, expressing hope that the two sides will increase dialogue and exchanges so that they can move on to a reunification process.
Ban is in Sendai for the five-day conference, which began Saturday. It marks the first stop in a series of crucial UN meetings on development goals and climate change. World leaders will meet in Addis Ababa in July to discuss financing for development, then in New York in September to adopt a new development agenda, and the last in Paris in December on a climate change agreement.