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.