Pubdate: Thu, 19 Aug 1999 Source: Metro (CA) Copyright: Metro Publishing Inc. Contact: http://www.metroactive.com/metro/ TOKYO, SEOUL POLICE TO JOIN FORCES AGAINST INT'L CRIME TOKYO, Aug. 18 (Kyodo) -- The Metropolitan Police Department and the Seoul police force have decided to cooperate to tackle international organized crime, and arms and drug trafficking, Tokyo police officials said Wednesday. Lee Mu Yong, head of the Seoul police department, is scheduled to visit Tokyo next Monday to sign a cooperative agreement together with Kenji Maeda, superintendent general of the Metropolitan Police Department, the officials said. According to the officials, South Korean President Kim Dae Jung suggested joint measures to counter international crime when he visited Japan last October. In February, Seoul police officials asked their counterparts in Tokyo to establish ties. Although details have not yet been determined, the agreement is expected to include provisions for an exchange of criminal investigators and cooperation in security measures during the 2002 World Cup soccer finals, to be co-hosted by Japan and South Korea. The officials are also reportedly considering cooperation in trying to solve domestic problems common to both countries, such as traffic congestion and juvenile delinquency. - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder