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The first day of bilateral
talks in Ulaanbaatar ended Thursday on an optimistic note between Japan
and North Korea, with Japan praising North Korea’s “sincerity.”
The direct talks between former
enemies, Japan and North Korea, are the result of a February agreement
between China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the U.S. for North Korea
to end its nuclear program in exchange for energy aid.
The talks’ success or failure
will hinge on two points. Japan wants a full accounting of 17 Japanese
citizens kidnapped by North Korea during the 1970’s and 1980’s.
For its part, North Korea seeks reparations dating to Japan’s pre-World
War II occupation of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea also claims to
seek to improve the rights of Koreans living in Japan.
``North Korea responded with
sincerity,'' during talks, Yoshiki Mine, Japan's chief envoy, told reporters
following the meeting.
Similar talks were held in
Hanoi in July. However, North Korea walked out on the meetings when
Japan insisted on complete information regarding its kidnapped nationals.
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