Red Cross delegations from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Japan concluded their talks on humanitarian issues in Beijing earlier Tuesday, and issued a joint press statement.

Headed by Tadateru Konoe, vice president of the Japanese Red Cross Society, and Ho Hae Ryong, vice chairman of the DPRK Red Cross Society, the two delegations convened for talks from

December 19 to 21, at which government officials from both countries participated.

According to the text provided by the Japanese sides, both sides said they recognize the importance and urgency of solving humanitarian problems "with a spirit of taking positive steps mutually and simultaneously in the year 2000."

The two sides agreed to resume the third round of visits by Japanese spouses who have married DPRK nationals and since moved to live in the DPRK, next spring, in accordance with agreed procedures and measures.

The Japanese side listened to the DPRK's explanations of the current food situation in the DPRK, and the Japanese said they will propose to their government that food aid should begin on

humanitarian grounds as soon as possible. The Japanese government is expected to study the question of food aid.

The two sides discussed the issue of Korean victims who went missing before the year 1945, and agreed to cooperate to seek a solution to this question.