N. Korea, Japan resume normalization talks

North Korea and Japan on Monday held an 11th round of bilateral talks toward diplomatic normalization at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, focusing on how to "wipe the slate clean" over Japanese colonization of the Korean Peninsula.

During the two-day session, North Korea put priority on cleaning the slate by seeking compensation for North Korea for the occupation, while Japan is pressed Pyongyang for an accounting of Japanese citizens allegedly abducted by Northern agents.

The North Koreans demanded an official apology and compensation from Japan to come to terms with the past. The Japanese insisted on treating the economic dispute in terms of property claims instead of overall compensation.

The two sides are expected to issue a joint statement following the second day of talks in the North Korean Embassy on Tuesday.

Shim Kyu-Sun ksshim@donga.com