DATE=8/24/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=JAPAN-KOREAS (L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-253062 BYLINE=STEVEN HERMAN DATELINE=TOKYO CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: Japan and South Korea say they see some positive signs from North Korea, including a willingness to talk. But Steve Herman reports from Tokyo that the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers say they are not yet convinced Pyongyang has backed away from plans to test-fire another ballistic missile. TEXT: High-ranking officials at Japan's Foreign Ministry say it is difficult to draw conclusions about Pyongyang's motives. Nevertheless, they say talks here between Seoul and Tokyo about North Korea have been constructive. Officials say that Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and South Korean Foreign Minister Hong Soon Young want to send positive messages to North Korea but they also agreed that they need to closely watch future developments. Foreign Minister Hong has also reportedly reached agreement with Tokyo on the installation of a security hotline with Japan, and on setting up a joint security council. The South Korean foreign minister is in Tokyo as part of a diplomatic offensive by Seoul to prevent North Korea from carrying out another missile test. As part of that, on Monday, South Korea's Defense Minister Cho Sung Tae began talks on the issue in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Chi Haotian. China's Xinhua news agency reports that Mr. Chi avoided a direct answer to South Korea's appeal for China to pressure Pyongyang to cancel the expected test. Both the Japanese and South Korean governments say they are encouraged by recent statements from North Korea's foreign ministry that Pyongyang is open to talks about concerns over the North's reported plan to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile. Diplomats here say North Korea appears to have somewhat toned down its anti-Japanese propaganda, after a warning from Tokyo. Japanese officials cautioned that if a missile were fired over Japanese territory, Tokyo might respond by cutting off what limited financial assistance it provides North Korea directly and might also move to block private transfers of money and assistance to Pyongyang. Funds from ethnic Koreans born in Japan are believed to be a vital resource for the cash-strapped country. (Signed) NEB/SH/FC/PLM 24-Aug-1999 06:59 AM EDT (24-Aug-1999 1059 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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