Both South Korean and foreign media were surprised by the invitation not only for its content but also because of its timing coming in a nationally televised press conference.

Asked by a reporter whether about a possible visit by Japanese Emperor Akihito, President Roh said he would welcome the visit of a Japanese monarch to Korea.  "Emperor Akihito," Mr Roh said' "has a standing invitation" to visit. "We are ready to welcome him and he would be met with the most cordial reception here."

Speaking about frictions rooted in Japan's colonisation of the Korean Peninsula (1910-1945), he said: "I don't think it's rational to block a visit to South Korea by the Japanese emperor just because there are some issues to be resolved".

President Roh's answers have led to a flurry of speculation, especially in the international media, about a possibly early visit by Emperor Akihito.

After all, the animosity towards the Japanese crown has historically been high among South Koreans since the institution is considered by many as having played a crucial role in Japanese colonialism. And it was probably inevitable that such a sudden change of heart would give rise to speculation over an early visit.

However, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi voiced caution. "It's too early to say at this stage," he told reporters.

Japanese caution aside, it is clear that Roh Moo-hyun's announcement was prepared in advance after much internal discussion. The decision has been long in the making.

Diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan were established in 1965 when then military dictator Park Chung Hee was in power in Seoul and contributed in no uncertain terms to South Korea's economic miracle.

Roh's decision falls on the 40th anniversary of that event, an occasion that allowed him to stress how good economic and political relations with its erstwhile enemy are, something important at a time when both Seoul and Tokyo are trying to find a solution to the North Korean nuclear issue.

In doing so President Roh is following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Kim dae-jung, who first saw in a visit by the Japanese Emperor as a step to finally turn the page on the two countries' tragic past and open a new chapter of cooperation and friendship.

Relations after 1965 between the two countries did not warm because of persistent popular animosity vis-à-vis Japan. Even though Geography (i.e. the Sea of Japan for the Japanese or the Eastern Sea for the South Koreans) should have brought the two together, history kept them apart. For decades, little could be done to overcome the divide.

History had to wait for President Kim Dae-jung. It was he who started to bridge the gap in 1998. A hero for most, his adversaries included, he had risked his life for democracy four times and was well positioned to start the process.

His visit to Japan that year was hailed a diplomatic stroke of genius since he was able to get the Japanese to acknowledge the responsibilities of their former military regime vis-à-vis Korea as well as elicit great sympathy among the Japanese public.

It was then that the South Koreans invited the Japanese emperor for the first time to visit South Korea. Since then the psychological distance between the two peoples has been slowly disappearing.

President Roh's renewed invitation follows the path his predecessor laid and is a sign of the times when the divide between South Koreans and Japanese is not as great as it used to be. Among the younger generation attitudes towards one another have become more positive.

In this context, Prime Minister Koizumi's response is less hesitant than it would appear. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said in fact that "friendly feelings are growing significantly among the public in Japan and South Korea. I have the impression that conditions for both countries are improving very much."

It is almost certain that Emperor Akihito will not travel to South Korea this year. However, according to some sources, diplomats from both countries are working hard to organise a visit by Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Masako. Both are popular among the young and share their aspirations.

Should their visit take place it will pave the wave for a visit by Akihito to President Roh Moo-hyun.