Without warning or explanation, Pyongyang’s negotiators fail to turn up to talks with their Japanese counterparts. The meeting, decided on during the six way round table discussions on the North’s nuclear programme, had been seen as a sign of hope for things to come.

Hanoi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Without warning or explanation, North Korea abruptly interrupted negotiations with Japan this morning, which had been ongoing between the two states in Hanoi, Vietnam.

 

The second session in talks was due to take place this morning in the Pyongyang embassy in Vietnam, but the North’s negotiators failed to show up or provide their Japanese counterparts with an explanation for their absence

 

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki who is taking part in negotiations stated that “Japan was trying to reschedule with the North Koreans, but had so far received no answer”.  

 

The meetings, which began yesterday morning in the Japanese embassy to Vietnam, had promised much: the two governments had expressed their “shared desire” to clarify their positions on issues of common concern, among which the question of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the period stretching from the ‘70’s to today.  

 

Song Il-ho, the North Korea representative, said at the start of the talks, “We are determined to make efforts to settle the unfortunate past and solve issues of concern. We believe that both sides should realize their responsibilities and continue the meetings so that it may help to make the agreement of the six-party talks real”.

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• Korea
• Japan
• Vietnam
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• abductions
• nuclear
• disarmament
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• abandon