[Title] Visit of Assistant Secretary of State of the United States James Kelly to North Korea (Explanation to Japanese Side)

On October 6, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly, on his way back from North Korea, stopped over in Japan to give an explanation of his visit to Japanese government officials, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi. The following is a summary of the talks.

1. Assistant Secretary of State Kelly stated as follows.

(1) The purpose of my (Mr. Kelly's) visit to Pyongyang was to hold consultations with the North Korean side on a wide range of pending issues, including weapons of mass destruction, the development and export of missiles, conventional arms, human rights issues, and the humanitarian situation.

(2) I had seriously expressed these concerns to North Korea and indicated that North Korea's actions would have a large implication for the future peace and stability of the region and the world, for its relations with the United States and neighboring countries, and for the future of North Korea itself. At the same time, I pointed out that if North Korea pursues comprehensive cooperation for dialogues with the United States, this would lead to progress in relations between the United States and North Korea.

(3) Regarding the abduction issue in particular, based upon the requests from Japan, I told the North Korean side that it was important for North Korea to make sincere efforts to solve this issue as the normalization talks resume. Although the North Korean side did not give a clear reply, I thought that the U.S. statement was understood.

(4) Regarding my visit to North Korea, I have received useful suggestions from the Japanese side. It is important for the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to strive for close cooperation and coordination in their relations toward North Korea through such forums as the Trilateral Coordination and Oversight Group (TCOG) meeting.

(5) Regarding future meetings, no decisions has been made. The United States has been committed to resolve the issues through dialogues. After I return to Washington, the U.S. government will review the results of my visit to North Korea and visits to Japan and the Republic of Korea and consider the next step.

2. In response, the Japanese side stated as follows.

(1) The Japanese side appreciates Assistant Secretary of State Kelly for paying due consideration to the Japan's position in the talks with North Korea and for promptly explaining the results of the visit to the Japanese side.

(2) Regarding policy toward North Korea, Japan would like to engage in consultations with the United States based on the results of this visit.

(3) Japan is also concerned about the issues of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons and missiles. Japan continues to work on North Korea, in close cooperation with the United States and the Republic of Korea, to resolve these issues of concerns at the normalization talks and security consultations on the basis of the spirit of the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration.