Seoul, Sept. 9 -- Former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called for stronger cooperation between South Korea and Japan, saying the two countries together could become the world's third-largest economic and defence power.

Speaking at the 27th World Knowledge Forum in Seoul during a session on "The Future of Korea-Japan Relations", Ishiba said South Korea and Japan, which share the core values of freedom, democracy and human rights, should build a "true partnership of equals".

Ishiba said the combined strength of the two countries would rank third globally in terms of GDP and defence capability, while their combined population would rank ninth.

He stressed that closer cooperation could allow Seoul and Tokyo to make a greater c...