First published by Ohmynews on 2007-03-01 06:55 (KST)
The two-day talks will focus on Pyongyang's abductions of Japanese citizens
Japan will hold talks with North Korea next month on normalizing bilateral relations as well as resolving mutual disputes.
The meeting was arranged under an agreement reached at the six-party talks held in Beijing earlier this month. In that meeting, North Korea committed to taking an initial step toward removing their controversial nuclear program in return for energy and other kinds of aid. This breakthrough led to a promise by Japan and the United States to hold talks on normalizing relations with North Korea.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yasuhisa Shiozaki, said the talks would take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on March 7-8. The meeting is one of five diplomatic activities that are to be held within 30 days of the agreement reached earlier this month in Beijing.
Bilateral relations between Japan and North Korea have been tense because of the latter's abductions of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.
Pyongyang admitted to having kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens. Five of the victims were allowed to return home to Japan five years ago. North Korea said that the remaining eight abductees had died. Japan, however, has accused North Korea of abducting more than 13 of its citizens and believes some of them may still be alive.
Pyongyang and Tokyo last held bilateral talks a year ago, without progress.
Speaking about the meeting in Hanoi, Shiozaki expressed hope that Pyongyang would show goodwill in resolving prolonged tensions over the abduction cases. Shiozaki once again confirmed Tokyo's policy of "no resolution to the abduction issues, no normalized diplomacy."
However, he also said, "Japan is ready to actively engage in negotiations on establishing diplomatic relations and to make further progress at the six-party talks. We will work to attain substantial progress."
To attend the meetings in Hanoi, the delegations of Japan and North Korea will be led by Koichi Haraguchi and Song Il-ho, respectively.
The two sides are expected to hold an informal meeting in Hanoi on March 6 before the bilateral talks.
The two-day talks will focus on Pyongyang's abductions of Japanese citizens
Japan will hold talks with North Korea next month on normalizing bilateral relations as well as resolving mutual disputes.
The meeting was arranged under an agreement reached at the six-party talks held in Beijing earlier this month. In that meeting, North Korea committed to taking an initial step toward removing their controversial nuclear program in return for energy and other kinds of aid. This breakthrough led to a promise by Japan and the United States to hold talks on normalizing relations with North Korea.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yasuhisa Shiozaki, said the talks would take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, on March 7-8. The meeting is one of five diplomatic activities that are to be held within 30 days of the agreement reached earlier this month in Beijing.
Bilateral relations between Japan and North Korea have been tense because of the latter's abductions of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.
Pyongyang admitted to having kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens. Five of the victims were allowed to return home to Japan five years ago. North Korea said that the remaining eight abductees had died. Japan, however, has accused North Korea of abducting more than 13 of its citizens and believes some of them may still be alive.
Pyongyang and Tokyo last held bilateral talks a year ago, without progress.
Speaking about the meeting in Hanoi, Shiozaki expressed hope that Pyongyang would show goodwill in resolving prolonged tensions over the abduction cases. Shiozaki once again confirmed Tokyo's policy of "no resolution to the abduction issues, no normalized diplomacy."
However, he also said, "Japan is ready to actively engage in negotiations on establishing diplomatic relations and to make further progress at the six-party talks. We will work to attain substantial progress."
To attend the meetings in Hanoi, the delegations of Japan and North Korea will be led by Koichi Haraguchi and Song Il-ho, respectively.
The two sides are expected to hold an informal meeting in Hanoi on March 6 before the bilateral talks.
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