SEOUL -- South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun said Thursday his country would welcome a visit by Emperor Akihito, despite the sensitive issue of Japan's past colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.
However, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said in Tokyo later in the day that the time is not ripe for the Emperor to visit South Korea.
"It's not at such a stage yet. The Imperial Household has a full schedule for the family," Koizumi told reporters in response to Roh's remark.