Ten years have passed since then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il signed the Pyongyang Declaration (Sept. 17, 2002) with the eventual aim of normalizing a bilateral relationship. Despite the historic significance of the declaration, little progress has been made to improve ties between the two countries.
So, it is a welcome development that Japan and North Korea have resumed talks after a lapse of four years. Both governments should make serious efforts to ensure the talks bear fruit. In the declaration, Japan apologized for its past colonial rule over Korea and promised to provide economic assistance to North Korea if diplomatic relations are normalized. Mr. Kim apologized for the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents.
North Korea said it will take appropriate steps to prevent future abductions, which the declaration described as an outstanding issue related to the lives and safety of the Japanese people. Both countries agreed to promote talks among countries concerned to resolve the thorny issue of the North's nuclear weapons program.