(LEAD) S. Korean PM calls for future-oriented ties between Seoul, Tokyo

South Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik said Monday his country and Japan must move toward the future with a common vision while facing the past squarely. "The two countries should strengthen their cooperation for the sake of each other and for the peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia and the rest of the world," Kim said in his congratulatory speech to a general assembly of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union. Relations between South Korea and Japan have often suffered setbacks due to territorial and historical rows related to their colonial past, as Tokyo has attempted to glorify its militaristic history and also lay claim to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo. Kim called for legislators to play a bigger role in developing the relations. "We can open an age of bigger amicable ties if politicians of the two countries cooperate with each other under a large framework of developing South Korea-Japan relations," he said during the meeting at a Seoul hotel. "Political leaders' responsibility and role are above all things to raise the current atmosphere of friendly bilateral relations a notch higher," he said. Later in the day, Japanese participants paid a visit to President Lee Myung-bak. "I believe parliamentary diplomacy is very important if we are going to move relations between the countries forward," Lee said during the meeting. "There are a lot of good things between the two countries, but sometimes there are problems as well. I hope parliamentarians of the two countries cooperate closely at such times." Kozo Watanabe, the co-head of the Korea-Japan Parliamentarians' Union, expressed gratitude for Lee's visit to his hometown of Fukushima in May despite the nuclear accident in the region in the wake of March's earthquake and tsunami. "Warm words and support from South Koreans made me think that it is South Korea, as expected, that offers helping hands. I was grateful for that," he said.