Basic Policy On Japan- Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Normalization Talks

(Provisional Translation)

Japan-DPRK normalization talks will be resumed on October 29 and 30, 2002 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
In the normalization talks, the abduction issues will be raised as a matter of the highest priority among the various concerns to be discussed between Japan and North Korea. In addition, efforts also will be made to reach an agreement on the launch of Japan-North Korea security consultations in which the ministries and agencies concerned would participate, in order to contribute to the resolution of various security issues, including issue of operation vessels, and issues of nuclear and missile which are matters of the utmost concern for Japan and the international community.
In the process of Japan-DPRK normalization talks, the Government of Japan will, assessing the sincerity of the North Korean side, carefully negotiate with the DPRK based on the principles and spirit of the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration signed by the leaders of both countries on September 17, 2002.
The Government of Japan will make maximum efforts to realize normalization of relations in a manner that would contribute to the safety of Japan and to the peace and safety of the Northeast Asian region as a whole. To this end, Japan will proceed the normalization talks in close cooperation with the United States of America and the Republic of Korea.