Japanese PM Koizumi May Visit DPRK in September

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 30, 2002

Japanese PM Koizumi May Visit DPRK in September

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi plans to visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in mid-September for talks with its top leader Kim Jong Il, Kyodo news agency reported Friday, quoting Foreign Ministry sources.

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Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi plans to visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in mid-September for talks with its top leader Kim Jong Il, according to the Kyodo news agency Friday.

If realized, it will be the first visit to the DPRK by a Japanese prime minister.

Koizumi's planned visit is intended to ascertain the prospects of resuming negotiations to establish bilateral diplomatic ties, Kyodo said.

At a recent bilateral high-level meeting in Pyongyang, the Japanese side proposed that Koizumi visit the DPRK in mid-September and hold talks with Kim, Kyodo said, adding that the DPRK responded positively.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda will announce the visit plan at a news conference beginning at 4 p.m. (0700 GMT) Friday, it said.

Earlier in the day, South Korea's Munhwa Ilbo newspaper reported that Koizumi will visit the DPRK on Sept. 17

However, officials of the Japanese foreign ministry told Xinhua that they need yet to confirm the media report.

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