"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Comment by Mr. Yoshiro Mori, Prime Minister of Japan, on the Joint Communiqué issued by the U.S. and North Korea

[Place]
[Date] October 19, 2000
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

The First Vice Chairman of the North Korea's National Defense Commission, Vice Marshal Jo Myong Rok, visited the United States of America and met with key figures of the U.S. Government including U.S. President William Clinton. This has created a significant result which is reflected in a Communiqué on a wide range of issues between the U.S. and North Korea. This is indeed a break-through and the Government of Japan heartily welcomes these developments.

On the Korean Peninsula, there has been a favorable trend since the historic Inter-Korean Summit Talks, and the results obtained between the U.S. and North Korea at this meeting would strengthen such a trend, and contribute to resolving various issues regarding North Korea and to easing tensions in the Korean Peninsula. The Government of Japan hopes that this trend will also have a positive impact on Japan-North Korea relations.

The Government of Japan intends to move with this trend and make persistent efforts, in close cooperation with U.S. and R.O.K., for a great advance in Japan-North Korea relations, through Japan-North Korea normalization talks.

(END)