Pyongyang Seeks Package Solution of Related Issues with Tokyo

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, October 30, 2002

Pyongyang Seeks Package Solution of Related Issues with Tokyo

The chief negotiator of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said in Kuala Lumpur Wednesday that they will seek a package solution to the issues related to normalization of ties with Japan, economic aid in parallel with other problems.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

The chief negotiator of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Kuala Lumpur Wednesday that they will seek a package solution to the issues related to normalization of ties with Japan, economic aid in parallel with other problems.

Jong Thae-hwa, head of the DPRK delegation, urged Japan to discuss economic aid at the second day of the talks aimed at establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The talks, the first full-scale negotiations between Tokyo and Pyongyang in two years, came as a result of last month's summit between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and DPRK leader Kim Jong-il.

"In line with the historical fact, Japan certainly must apologize and compensate for the psychological and material damage Japan caused to the Korean people," Jong said, referring to Japan's harsh 35 years colonial rule of the Korean peninsula.

For his part, Japan's chief negotiator, Katsunari Suzuki, said the abduction and security issues remained Tokyo's top priorities.

"During today's talks, we want to make concrete progress even in one or two issues," Suzuki added.

Tokyo insists that it will not establish diplomatic ties or offer financial aid unless Pyongyang resolves the issues of abduction of Japanese nationals by DPRK decades ago and scrapping of its nuclear weapons program.

In Tuesday's talks, a DPRK negotiator was quoted as saying that the abduction issue has been "almost settled."

On the nuclear weapons program, the DPRK delegation rejected Japan's demands to scrap nuclear weapons, adding "America's hostile stance toward DPRK is to blame."

Pyongyang said in a statement on Oct. 25 that it would seek a negotiated settlement of the nuclear issue only on several conditions -- the United States recognizes DPRK's sovereignty, assures its security and does nothing to arrest its economic development.

However, the United States, Japan and South Korea demanded, in a joint statement, that DPRK scrap its nuclear weapons program "in a prompt and verifiable manner."

The two-day talks between Japan and DPRK are expected to conclude Wednesday.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Japanese, DPRK Officials Begin Normalization Talks

Japan, DPRK End Day's Talks Without Obvious Progress

Taiwanese Lawmakers Propose Charter Flights to Chinese Mainland ( 11 Messages)

China's Spacemen Expected to Dart off the Earth in Three Years ( 11 Messages)

China May Outstrip US as World's Largest FDI Recipient: UNCTAD ( 52 Messages)

Facing AIDS, Silence is Death ( 4 Messages)

China Plans to Build Two Huge Hydropower Stations ( 3 Messages)