Japanese Prime Minister-elect Yukio Hatoyama has met with Korean actor
Lee Seo-jin at his office in Tokyo. Mr. Hatoyama's wife, who is a fan of Korean culture, also welcomed the actor.
Lee is visiting Japan to promote his epic drama "
Yi San", which is airing in Japan on NHK TV's satellite channel. His meeting with the prime minister-elect was organized by the Japanese PR company Color Pink Japan. According to the company's CEO, the prime minister-elect said he wanted to conduct politics like King Jeongjo, who Lee plays in the drama, and that he will take cues for his policies from "
Yi San". He also added that he has much to learn from King Jeongjo.
King Jeongjo (1776-1800), the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty, based his policies on the need for grassroots movements and implemented reforms.
Lee said that the prime minister-elect's wife also learned about King Jeongjo from the drama, which she enjoys very much. During her meeting with Lee, Ms. Hatoyama said she enjoyed watching Korean TV dramas, including those starring Lee. After receiving celadon and DVD gift sets from Lee, she said she wanted to use the celadon for cooking and asked him whether the DVDs had Korean subtitles because she wanted to learn Korean. Lee and Ms. Hatoyama communicated in English.
Lee congratulated Mr. Hatoyama on his election and the first successful power switch in 54 years. In response, the prime minister-elect pledged to implement change by all means.
