Japan to Beef up Ties with Korea on N.K.

Koizumi Junichiro, the Prime Minister of Japan, announced that he will do his best efforts with Korea to succeed 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup and the Year of Korea-Japan Civil Exchange. The Prime minister mentioned, no doubt there is an importance of the relationship with Korea, geographically the closest country.

In terms of North Korean relationship, he will move forward with an effort to reestablishment of diplomatic relationship with North Korea, maintaining Korea-US-Japan ties on a firm foot. Mr. Kozumi also stated that he will make an effort to solve a security problem and the humanitarian problem (the kidnapping problem) with North Korea through a continuous dialogue.

The Prime Minister declared to present concrete plans for a direct election of the Prime Minister and an emergency law for the case that Japan would be under armed attack.

Shim Kyu-Sun ksshim@donga.com