Carry on diplomatic and peaceful efforts to solve problems with North Korea -- Akahata editorial, September 17September 17 marks the first anniversary of the Pyongyang Declaration signed by Japan's Prime Minister Koizumi Jun'ichiro, the first Japanese premier to visit North Korea, and Kim Jong Il, chairman of the National Defense Commission and general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, to resume the talks aimed at normalizing relations between Japan and North Korea.
The past year has seen complicated and dangerous developments on the Korean Peninsula concerning the issue of North Korea's nuclear development. In no circumstances must military confrontation or war take place. The solution of North Korea's problems and the normalization of Japan-North Korea relations call for further peaceful and diplomatic efforts.
First step in normalization talks
The Pyongyang Declaration agreed on by the two leaders states: "Both leaders confirmed the shared recognition that establishing a fruitful political, economic and cultural relationship between Japan and the DPRK through the settlement of unfortunate past between them and the outstanding issues of concern would be consistent interests of both sides, and would greatly contribute to the peace and stability of the region."
Among all United Nations members, North Korea is the only country with which Japan has no diplomatic relations. It is significant that the Pyongyang Declaration confirmed each other's willingness to "settle the unfortunate past" between the two countries and the outstanding issues of concern, and establish diplomatic relations.
In the summit meeting, Chairman Kim admitted that North Korea's "special organization" was responsible for the abduction of Japanese nationals, provided information about some abductees, and offered an apology. This also marked a first step to the resolution of the abduction issue.
Since the 1970s, the Japanese Communist Party has criticized North Korea for trying to impose the personality cult of Kim Il Sung and for their lawless acts throughout the world. The JCP has also called on the Japanese government to establish a diplomatic channel for negotiation between the two governments with a view of breaking the vicious circle of military confrontation and settling pending issues. That is why the JCP welcomed the resumption of the normalization talks, and proposed that all the pending issues be solved comprehensively in the course of negotiation.
Although the Pyongyang Declaration marked the first step to normalize Japan-North Korea relations, many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead. The abduction issue is at a standstill over the return to Japan of abductees' family members. Since last autumn, North Korea has brought up the subject of its plan to develop nuclear weapons and increased its dangerous "brinkmanship diplomacy" with the United States. This also has created a major obstacle to Japan-North Korea talks.
North Korea is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It agreed with South Korea on denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and promised in the Pyongyang Declaration that it would "comply with all related international agreements," including the NPT.
It stands to reason that the international community has urged North Korea to abandon its nuclear development program and to continue efforts to achieve a peaceful and diplomatic solution of the issue.
North Korea has repeatedly declared that its security relies on "nuclear deterrence". But the truth is that North Korea can be secure only when it earns the trust of the international community. Settling its past lawless activities, including the abduction of foreign nationals, is an essential task North Korea must fulfill.
Despite many complications, the six-party talks were held by North Korea, the United States, and China plus Japan, South Korea, and Russia in late August, shortly before the first anniversary of the Japan-North Korea summit talks. The talks marked an important first step in the effort to achieve a step-by-step solution to the North Korea issue through further dialogues, marking a great step forward toward the peaceful solution of North Korea's nuclear weapons development.
In the Japan-North Korea talks held in parallel with the six-party talks, the North Korean representative stated that it would make efforts to settle the pending bilateral problems, including the abductions, in compliance with the Pyongyang Declaration.
Firmly standing for the Pyongyang Declaration
The task now is to keep the process alive to achieve a peaceful and diplomatic solution, instead of suspending or breaking it up. It is particularly important for North Korea to abandon its "brinkmanship".
The Pyongyang Declaration is a milestone in the Japan-North Korea talks. The two countries recognize that these issues must be solved comprehensively. The issues of nuclear development, missiles, and the abductions, as well as other historical issues, should be settled based on this principle. The developments in the past year show that the negotiations aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations will only advance when Japan and North Korea adhere to the idea set out in the Pyongyang Declaration and continue talks with reason and justice.
The solution of the North Korea issue is essential for securing peace and stability in East Asia. At the first anniversary of the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, let's heighten public awareness on this issue to help Japan-North Korea talks resume soon. (end)