DPRK, Japanese Negotiators Begin Normalization TalksNegotiators from Japan and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday kicked off their second round of talks on normalizing diplomatic ties between the two countries.The DPRK delegation is headed by Ambassador Jong Thae Hwa, while the Japanese team is led by Kojiro Takano, ambassador in charge of normalization talks. Jong and Takano held the first round of talks in Pyongyang in April, marking the resumption of the two countries' normalization talks which collapsed in 1992 after eight rounds. High on agenda are issues including Pyongyang's claim for compensation for Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule over the Korean peninsula. But Jong and Takano said Monday they will not ease their positions, suggesting dim prospects for any breakthrough. Nevertheless, Takano said he will try to lay the groundwork for substantial negotiations at the third round of talks, expected sometime in October in Beijing or another third-nation city. On Thursday, the two sides will meet again in Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture, for the second day of talks. While in Japan, the DPRK delegation is also scheduled to meet with former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Hiromu Nonaka. The DPRK delegation, which arrived in Japan on Monday, will head home on Friday morning. |
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