1.   The Government of the Republic of Korea congratulates the election of former Chief Cabinet 
Secretary, Yasuo Fukuda, as the 91st Prime Minister of Japan on September 25.

2.   President Roh Moo-hyun sent a congratulatory message today to Prime Minister Fukuda, expressing 
his hope that the two countries will cooperate closely to further promote the ROK-Japan relations.

3.   The ROK Government hopes that the ROK and Japan will work together toward building a future-oriented 
relationship on the occasion of the inauguration of the new Japanese Cabinet.

                                                  Spokesperson of MOFAT

*unofficial translation