North Korea said Monday it is ready to begin a "sincere" dialogue with Japan to settle matters left over from the past and open "a new phase of improving the relationship" with a view to eventually establishing diplomatic ties.
"The DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) is ready to make positive efforts to solve the issue of Japan's redress for its past and all matters related to the establishment of diplomatic ties," says an editorial in the official Rodong Sinmum, which was reported by the Korean Central News Agency, monitored in Beijing.
"The two sides should sincerely hold contact and dialogue . . . as desired by the people at home and abroad to create an atmosphere for the talks between the DPRK and Japan and open a new phase of improving the relationship," the paper went on to say.
It also said that for bilateral dialogue and negotiations to be put "on their right orbit," both sides should pay attention to points contained in a joint press statement issued when North Korean Foreign Minister Paek Nam Sun met with Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi on Aug. 1 in Brunei.