Japan Press Weekly

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2017 May 10 - 16 [JCP]

Shii calls for efforts to not miss opportunity for diplomatic settlement of N. Korea issue

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on May 14 issued the following statement in regard to North Korea’s ballistic missile launch early on the morning of this day:

North Korea on this day recklessly launched a ballistic missile in defiance of a strong warning from the international community. This poses a serious threat to world peace and stability and is an outrageous deed violating past resolutions of the UN Security Council, the joint statement of the Six-Party talks, and the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration. The JCP fiercely protests against North Korea’s act.

The only way to solve this problem is to initiate a diplomatic approach. What is noteworthy is that recently, hints toward a settlement through dialogue have appeared. U.S. President Trump expressed his willingness to meet with the North Korean leader “under the right circumstances”. China and Russia called for settling the issue using channels of communication, including the Six-Party Talks. South Korea has elected a new president who appealed for an “end to the matter through negotiations” during the election campaign.

It is important to enter into diplomatic negotiations with the North in parallel with the toughening of economic sanctions and urge the nation to abandon its nuclear weapons and missile development programs in diplomatic negotiations. The JCP strongly demands that the countries concerned make all-out efforts for a solution under the Six-Party Talks and other channels for dialogue.

Prime Minister Abe on April 29 at a press conference in London said that under the current situation, “we cannot immediately restart the Six-Party Talks at this time.” He went on to say, “Dialogue for the sake of dialogue will not lead to any solution.” The Japanese government should stop taking a stance rejecting dialogue and instead work to make use of any opportunity that arises to work for a diplomatic solution.

Past related articles:
> Shii comments on US joint statement on North Korea and calls for diplomatic efforts to be pursued [April 28, 2017]
> JCP delivers its statement on North Korea issue to nations concerned [April 18, 2017]