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Japan and North Korea Said to Agree to Hold Talks Japan and North Korea Said to Agree to Formal Talks
(about 3 hours later)
TOKYO — Japan and North Korea agreed on Thursday to hold formal talks for the first time in more than a year, Japanese officials said, as the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan tries to score a coveted diplomatic success. TOKYO — Japan and North Korea agreed on Thursday to hold formal talks for the first time in more than a year, Japanese officials said, as the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan tried to achieve a coveted diplomatic success.
Japanese and North Korean diplomats meeting informally in the northern Chinese city of Shenyang agreed that the resumption of official dialogue could begin as early as next month. The diplomats spoke this week while the two nations’ Red Cross societies met to discuss repatriating the remains of Japanese citizens who died in what is now North Korea’s territory during the last days of World War II.Japanese and North Korean diplomats meeting informally in the northern Chinese city of Shenyang agreed that the resumption of official dialogue could begin as early as next month. The diplomats spoke this week while the two nations’ Red Cross societies met to discuss repatriating the remains of Japanese citizens who died in what is now North Korea’s territory during the last days of World War II.
“It’s an important step,” Mr. Abe said at a news conference, referring to the agreement. “I’d like to resume talks as soon as possible.”“It’s an important step,” Mr. Abe said at a news conference, referring to the agreement. “I’d like to resume talks as soon as possible.”
Formal dialogue between the two nations was suspended by Japan after North Korea launched a long-range rocket over Japan in December 2012.Formal dialogue between the two nations was suspended by Japan after North Korea launched a long-range rocket over Japan in December 2012.
Japanese officials said the planned talks would cover a wide range of issues that would probably include North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by the North in the 1970s and ‘80s. A North Korean official in Shenyang was also quoted by the Japanese news media as expressing hope that the talks would improve frozen ties between the two nations. Japanese officials said the planned talks would cover a wide range of issues that would probably include North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, and the fate of Japanese citizens abducted by the North in the 1970s and ’80s. A North Korean official in Shenyang was also quoted by the Japanese news media as expressing hope that the talks would improve frozen ties between the two nations.
“Our goal is to properly settle outstanding issues of both sides,” Ryu Song-il, identified as the official in charge of Japanese affairs at the North Korean Foreign Ministry, was quoted as saying by the Kyodo News Agency. “I believe it is important that relations between the two countries can be improved soon.”“Our goal is to properly settle outstanding issues of both sides,” Ryu Song-il, identified as the official in charge of Japanese affairs at the North Korean Foreign Ministry, was quoted as saying by the Kyodo News Agency. “I believe it is important that relations between the two countries can be improved soon.”
The efforts at rapprochement between the two countries come as Japan has appeared increasingly isolated in the region during Mr. Abe’s first year in office and as his government has sought to score its first diplomatic success. Mr. Abe’s nationalistic views have contributed to a sharp deterioration in relations between Japan and its closest neighbors, China and South Korea, with whom it is locked in emotional disputes over history and territory. The efforts at rapprochement between the two countries come as Japan has appeared increasingly isolated in the region during Mr. Abe’s first year in office and as his government has sought to gain its first big diplomatic success. Mr. Abe’s nationalistic views have contributed to a sharp deterioration in relations between Japan and its closest neighbors, China and South Korea, with whom it is locked in emotional disputes over history and territory.
Overtures to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia about resolving a separate dispute over islands in the Pacific have been delayed by the crisis in Crimea.Overtures to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia about resolving a separate dispute over islands in the Pacific have been delayed by the crisis in Crimea.
Japanese analysts and officials have said that Mr. Abe now appears to be focusing on North Korea, in a bet that its isolated leader, Kim Jong-un, may be willing to make concessions in exchange for economic aid to his impoverished nation. Last May, speaking a day after a top aide returned from a secretive visit to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, Mr. Abe told Parliament that he would consider meeting with Mr. Kim to resolve the issue of abducted Japanese.Japanese analysts and officials have said that Mr. Abe now appears to be focusing on North Korea, in a bet that its isolated leader, Kim Jong-un, may be willing to make concessions in exchange for economic aid to his impoverished nation. Last May, speaking a day after a top aide returned from a secretive visit to Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, Mr. Abe told Parliament that he would consider meeting with Mr. Kim to resolve the issue of abducted Japanese.
Analysts now say that visit may have laid the groundwork for the recent warming in relations. One of the most convincing signs came last week, when the parents of a Japanese schoolgirl kidnapped in 1977 were allowed to meet their North Korean-born granddaughter for the first time.Analysts now say that visit may have laid the groundwork for the recent warming in relations. One of the most convincing signs came last week, when the parents of a Japanese schoolgirl kidnapped in 1977 were allowed to meet their North Korean-born granddaughter for the first time.
Mr. Abe has vowed to press North Korea to give a fuller account of what happened to abducted Japanese, in particular eight who North Korea said died after being kidnapped, including the schoolgirl, Megumi Yokota. However, the North has provided such scant information about the deaths that families have questioned whether some or all of the abducted Japanese may still be alive.Mr. Abe has vowed to press North Korea to give a fuller account of what happened to abducted Japanese, in particular eight who North Korea said died after being kidnapped, including the schoolgirl, Megumi Yokota. However, the North has provided such scant information about the deaths that families have questioned whether some or all of the abducted Japanese may still be alive.
In 2002, North Korea returned five abducted Japanese after the prime minister at the time, Junichiro Koizumi, visited Pyongyang in a bid to normalize relations. Instead, the North’s admission to the kidnappings, which until then had only been suspected, stirred such public anger that Japan eventually severed most ties.In 2002, North Korea returned five abducted Japanese after the prime minister at the time, Junichiro Koizumi, visited Pyongyang in a bid to normalize relations. Instead, the North’s admission to the kidnappings, which until then had only been suspected, stirred such public anger that Japan eventually severed most ties.
Mr. Abe first rose to national prominence at this time when Mr. Koizumi, his political mentor, put him in charge of the emotional abduction issue. Analysts have said that Mr. Abe may be hoping to resume where Mr. Koizumi left off by reaching an accord that could finally open the way for normalizing ties. Mr. Abe first rose to national prominence at this time, when Mr. Koizumi, his political mentor, put him in charge of the emotional abduction issue. Analysts have said that Mr. Abe may be hoping to resume where Mr. Koizumi left off by reaching an accord that could finally open the way for normalizing ties.
“I was overwhelmed with emotion. I’m very glad the meeting came about,” Mr. Abe said on Monday, speaking of the meeting between Ms. Yokota’s parents and her daughter. “We are determined to resolve the abduction issue at any cost.”“I was overwhelmed with emotion. I’m very glad the meeting came about,” Mr. Abe said on Monday, speaking of the meeting between Ms. Yokota’s parents and her daughter. “We are determined to resolve the abduction issue at any cost.”