North Korea and Japan to Normalize Diplomatic Relations in Two Years

Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi announced on June 29 that Japan will complete the normalization of diplomatic relations with North Korea within two years.

“I want to normalize diplomatic relations with North Korea within two years (until September of 2006, when the Liberal Democratic party presidency ends),” Koizumi said during an interview with Japanese press and added, “That will be feasible if both parties faithfully implement the Pyongyang Declaration, which promised the resolution of the Japanese kidnapping, the nuclear issue, and the missile problem.

It is the first time Koizumi mentioned the specific date for normalizing diplomatic relations with the North Korea.

Won-Jae Park parkwj@donga.com