DATE=10/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN / N. KOREA (2ND CQ)
NUMBER=2-254727
BYLINE=JOCELYN FORD
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// Re-issuing to change intro - adding number of 
months ago (14) North Korea fired missile over Japan - 
and to correct last sentence of second graf of text, 
deleting "11 months ago." ///

INTRO:  Newly appointed Japanese Foreign Minister 
Yohei Kono says Tokyo may ease economic sanctions 
imposed on North Korea after it fired a missile 
over Japan 14 months ago.  Jocelyn Ford reports 
from the Japanese capital, the Foreign Minister's 
remarks (Wednesday) follow progress in talks 
between Washington and Pyongyang last month. 

TEXT:  Foreign Minister Yohei Kono says Japan is 
considering resuming charter flights to North 
Korea.

In an interview with Japanese news reporters, he 
said the move would be the first stage in lifting 
the sanctions against its Communist neighbor that 
were imposed after Pyongyang test-fired a 
ballistic missile over Japan.

Relations have been on hold ever since the 
missile launch over the northern part of Japan.  
North Korea says the rocket was a satellite 
launch, not a missile.

Mr. Kono said Japan would also consider resuming 
humanitarian food aid to North Korea, though he 
cautioned Tokyo would  not  move immediately.

Speaking on his second day in office, Mr. Kono 
said the policy shift is aimed at supporting 
diplomatic achievements by the United States.

Washington recently announced plans to ease a 
longstanding ban on trade and investment in North
Korea.  The announcement came after Pyongyang 
promised last month to freeze test launches of 
long range missiles, as long as talks with the 
United States are underway.  

In another overture to Pyongyang, Mr. Kono said 
Japan is relaxing conditions for resuming 
diplomatic talks.

Previously, Japan insisted that, as a condition 
for resuming contact, the two countries must 
first make progress in settling Japan's 
allegation that North Korean spies abducted at 
least ten Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 
80s.

North Korea has denied the accusations.

Mr. Kono said Japan is closely coordinating its 
policy toward North Korea with the United
States and South Korea.
 
Pyongyang and Washington are scheduled to resume 
talks later this month, when North Korean First 
Vice Foreign Minister (Kang Sok Ju) visits 
Washington. (Signed)

NEB/JF/FC/KL




06-Oct-1999 12:27 PM EDT (06-Oct-1999 1627 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.