DPRK refuses to talk to Japan

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-07-2008 13:12

The DPRK says it will not meet with Japan at the upcoming six-party talks aimed at denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. The DPRK says Japan has neither justification nor qualification to participate in the talks.

Korean Central Television News quoted the DPRK Foreign  Ministry as saying that the main task of the new round of  six-party talks is to "ensure the speed of economic  compensation" to the DPRK.

Korean Central Television News quoted the DPRK Foreign Ministry as saying that the main task of the new round of six-party talks is to "ensure the speed of economic compensation" to the DPRK. It says the disablement-for-aid agreement reached by the six parties could move on without Japan. The DPRK was responding to Japan's refusal to provide any economic aid until some progress is made on the abduction issue. Japan insists the DPRK is hiding Japanese citizens who were kidnapped 30 years ago.

But the US says it hopes the DPRK could take the Japanese concerns into consideration.

Christopher Hill, US Nuclear Envoy said "We did have a discussion about the need for the DPRK to do more to meet Japanese concerns, especially on the abduction matter."

Hill said he expects Monday's talks to be difficult. He indicated the meetings would focus on working out a detailed plan to verify the DPRK's nuclear programmes.

Christopher Hill said "We need a situation where when we begin the verification, there are no surprises."

Hill said he will speak with his South Korean counterpart, Kim Sook about providing fuel aid to the DPRK.

Editor:Xiong Qu