DATE=12/3/1999 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT TITLE=JAPAN - NORTH KOREA TALKS(L-ONLY) NUMBER=2-256785 BYLINE=KARRIN AMODEO DATELINE=TOKYO CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: North Korea's Central News Agency and Japanese media reports say the two nations have agreed to resume talks on establishing diplomatic relations. Japan forged diplomatic ties with South Korea in 1965 but has never had official links with the communist North. Karrin Amodeo has more on the story from Tokyo. TEXT: The breakthrough agreement reportedly came during this week's talks held in Pyongyang between a Japanese parliamentary delegation and North Korea's leadership. Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama led a team of lawmakers, from several of Japan's political parties, in three days of talks aimed at improving relations between the two countries. Attempts to develop diplomatic ties came to a halt in 1992, after Japan alleged that North Korean agents kidnapped Japanese citizens. Relations soured further in August last year when North Korea test fired a missile over Japan. But the new agreement could put efforts to normalize relations back on track. Paul Stares, Director of Studies at the Japan Center for International Exchange, in Tokyo, says the agreement will reduce tensions and enhance stability. ///STARE ACT /// Its significance is that it adds momentum and general weight to this process of engaging North Korea. To the extent this leads to normalization of relations between Japan and North Korea, this will make North Korea a less isolated, less paranoid country and one less unstable too. And so I think it is good news for the region. ///END ACT /// But obstacles to forging diplomatic ties remain. North Korea wants Japan to apologize for its wartime behavior and colonial occupation of the North. Japan is worried about Pyongyang's ongoing missile program. And it is demanding the return of the missing Japanese citizens. The government in Tokyo is expected to review details of the report Friday and is withholding comment. But the government is not expected to oppose any resumption in talks. (SIGNED) NEB/KA/FC/PLM 03-Dec-1999 03:38 AM EDT (03-Dec-1999 0838 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
