Japan seeks DPRK's denuclearization along with resolution of abduction issues: Japanese Ambassador

SEOUL, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese Ambassador to Seoul said Wednesday Japan is seeking denuclearization of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) along with the resolution of abduction issues between the two countries, local media reported Wednesday.

"If North Korea (DPRK) moves toward the resolution of abduction issues based on agreements between Tokyo and Pyongyang, Japan will also take action in response," Toshinori Shigeie told a local defense forum, referring to issues of Japanese civilians believed to have been kidnapped to the DPRK, according to Yonhap News Agency.

The ambassador also voiced support for South Korea's so-called "grand bargain" proposal aimed at achieving the DPRK's denuclearization at once, rather than gradually approaching the goal in phases, in return for international aid and other incentives for the DPRK.

He added that the DPRK's return to the stalled six-party nuclear talks and ending the nuclear programs in a verifiable manner remain a priority, calling the multilateral disarmament talks a "very realistic framework," according to Yonhap.

The ambassador reportedly spoke against the DPRK's recent proposal to reach a peace treaty to replace a truce that ended the 1950-1953 Korean War, which left the two Koreas technically at war, saying the proposal will sway attention away from Pyongyang's denuclearization process.