ID :
30122
Fri, 11/14/2008 - 09:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/30122
The shortlink copeid
Japan, S. Korea agree to continue cooperation on N. Korea issues
FUKUOKA, Nov. 13 Kyodo - Japanese and South Korean senior foreign and defense officials agreed in a meeting Thursday to continue joint efforts in pressing North Korea forward with its denuclearization and reaffirmed the need to ensure continued trilateral cooperation with the United States in Northeast Asia, Japan's top nuclear envoy
said.
Akitaka Saiki, director general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and
Oceanian Affairs Bureau, said he also reiterated Japan's stance that an
agreement between Washington and Pyongyang on the verification methods of North
Korea's nuclear programs must be put into writing under the six-party talks
framework.
The South Korean side, represented by officials including Cho Tae Yong,
director general of the South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry's
Northeast Asian Affairs Bureau, was quoted by Saiki as showing understanding
but also saying it would be better to wait and not overreact to the North's
moves.
They were apparently referring to North Korea's statement a day earlier that it
will not allow inspectors to take samples from its Yongbyon nuclear complex as
part of the verification process, which contradicts an announcement by the U.S.
side over what was agreed in bilateral talks last month.
Thursday's security meeting, held in Fukuoka in southwestern Japan, was the
eighth such dialogue between the two nations and came at a time when both sides
are seeking to move forward with the stalled six-party talks, which also
involve China, North Korea, Russia and the United States.
The bilateral meeting also preceded a trilateral summit of the leaders of
Japan, South Korea and China eyed for next month and likely to also be held in
Fukuoka.
The security dialogue was first held in Seoul in June 1998 and has since
alternated between the two countries. The previous round of talks took place in
Busan, South Korea, in October 2007.
==Kyodo
said.
Akitaka Saiki, director general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and
Oceanian Affairs Bureau, said he also reiterated Japan's stance that an
agreement between Washington and Pyongyang on the verification methods of North
Korea's nuclear programs must be put into writing under the six-party talks
framework.
The South Korean side, represented by officials including Cho Tae Yong,
director general of the South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry's
Northeast Asian Affairs Bureau, was quoted by Saiki as showing understanding
but also saying it would be better to wait and not overreact to the North's
moves.
They were apparently referring to North Korea's statement a day earlier that it
will not allow inspectors to take samples from its Yongbyon nuclear complex as
part of the verification process, which contradicts an announcement by the U.S.
side over what was agreed in bilateral talks last month.
Thursday's security meeting, held in Fukuoka in southwestern Japan, was the
eighth such dialogue between the two nations and came at a time when both sides
are seeking to move forward with the stalled six-party talks, which also
involve China, North Korea, Russia and the United States.
The bilateral meeting also preceded a trilateral summit of the leaders of
Japan, South Korea and China eyed for next month and likely to also be held in
Fukuoka.
The security dialogue was first held in Seoul in June 1998 and has since
alternated between the two countries. The previous round of talks took place in
Busan, South Korea, in October 2007.
==Kyodo
