DPJ to propose total ban of exports, travel to N. Korea

TOKYO, Nov. 2 Kyodo - The Democratic Party of Japan has compiled a draft proposal for additional economic sanctions against North Korea, featuring a total ban on exports and travel to the country, informed sources said Sunday.

The main opposition party responded to Pyongyang's reluctance to set up a
responsible reinvestigation committee over its past abductions of Japanese
citizens, as promised.
The DPJ will submit the 14-item proposal to the prime minister's office,
according to the sources.
North Korea had agreed to launch the committee to reinvestigate the abduction
cases and try to complete the reinvestigation by the fall, while Japan had
promised to lift some of its sanctions -- those on chartered flights and entry
of North Korean nationals -- in return once the probes began.
However, following then Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's abrupt resignation
announcement on Sept. 1, North Korea told Japan the setting up of the panel
will be suspended until Pyongyang confirms the policy of the new Japanese
administration.