By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter

CHEJU ISLAND - President Roh Moo-hyun urged Japan on Thursday to take steps to correct past problems, including distortions of historical facts in textbooks and politicians’ visits to a controversial shrine dedicated to World War II dead.

``I hope Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will endeavor to resolve the past issues involving Northeast Asian nations within his tenure,’’ Roh said while strolling with the Japanese Premier around the garden of the Shilla Hotel, the site of their summit talks.

He cited the case of Germany, which has emerged as a leading power although it was defeated in World War II, along with Japan, by smoothing relations with other European nations.

``Although it is difficult for the two nations to reach an agreement on controversial historical facts, it will be possible for them to find a consensus on how to educate for the future,’’ he said.

In response, Koizumi cited the need for the two nations to expand exchanges of school-age students but did not elaborate further, presidential spokesman Kim Jong-min said revealing the content of the dialogue between the two leaders.

Roh’s remarks came amid brewing criticism over his earlier statement that he would not raise the historical grievances with Japan while he stays in office.

``President Roh’s remarks should be accepted as a strong message that Japan and its people need to take proper steps to correct the distorted facts although the Seoul government will not raise the issue actively,’’ Foreign Affairs-Trade Minister Ban Ki-moon said.

The two leaders on Thursday ended their summit, which proceeded in a relaxed atmosphere in the renowned tourist destination.

Wrapping up their two-day meeting, they took a morning stroll in casual clothes, dropping by a beach observatory point and the site where a scene from the film ``Swiri’’ was shot.

During the one-hour walk, the two discussed hopes for the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and other personal matters.

After returning to Japan, Koizumi met with Korean actress Choi Ji-woo, who has recently been named an envoy dedicated to promoting the friendly relations between the two nations.

In a bid to regularize their shuttle diplomacy, Roh is set to visit Japan sometime later this year.

The two leaders made progress in the controversial visa issue with Japan agreeing to provide temporary exemption for Koreans entering Japan during the March-September period next year when a world exposition will be held there.