South Korea's Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon attended the Japanese Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony today.<br />Prior to his departure, he expressed hope that his visit could help ease the tensions between Seoul and Tokyo.<br />Lee Kyung-eun reports.<br />Before he left for Japan Tuesday morning, South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said in a Facebook post that he will celebrate the start of a new era under Emperor Naruhito... and send condolences to the people affected by the latest typhoon.<br />The cermony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo was attended by Lee and South Korean ambassador to Japan, Nam Kwan-pyo,...and heads of state and royals more than 180 countries, including Britain's Prince Charles.<br />South Korean President Moon Jae-in did not attend himself, but the Prime Minister's Office in Seoul has confirmed that he sent a letter to the emperor as well as one for Abe.<br />The content of the letter has not been revealed, but experts say that it is likely to emphasize the importance of dialogue and improving bilateral ties.<br />It will be delivered to the palace through the foreign ministries of the two countries.<br />Earlier in the day, the South Korean Prime Minister expressed hope that his visit could contribute to achieving an amicable and mature relationship between Seoul and Tokyo.<br />He said he has a special connection to the centuries-old enthronement ceremony.<br />Back in 1990, he was a foreign correspondent in Tokyo for the Korean newspaper Donga-ilbo, and he reported on the enthronement of the current emperor's father, Akihito.<br />After the ceremony, Lee paid tribute at a monument honoring a Korean hero, Lee Soo-hyun, who died in 2001 while rescuing a Japanese man who'd fallen onto the subway tracks.<br />After that, he was due to attend a banquet dinner at around 7 p.m.<br />In the remaining days, he is set to meet with young Japanese people, politicians and business leaders, but there's a particular focus on Thursday... when he will sit down with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.<br />Reports in South Korea say that meeting will last around 10 minutes.<br />Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.<br />
