Japan-Korea Association calls for permanent diplomatic channel with North Korea

The Japan-Korea Association on April 19 called on the Foreign Ministry to open a permanent diplomatic channel with North Korea.

In a letter to Foreign Minister Kawaguchi Yoriko, the association stressed the importance of seeking to solve any problems with North Korea through bilateral negotiations.

The association requested that the Japanese government formally apologize for its past colonization of the Korean Peninsula and earnestly address the question of post-war reparations.

In explaining the letter to a senior Foreign Ministry official, association representatives emphasized that the present issues, including unidentified ships and the alleged abduction of Japanese nationals, make it all the more important to normalize relations with North Korea. (end)