[Editorial] NK-Japan Negotiations Getting Nowhere

It is regrettable that negotiations between Japan and North Korea, resumed as they were after much difficulty, came to a close with little in the way of results other than to confirm existing differences. This latest meeting was the first of its kind since three years and three months ago, when representatives of the two countries met in Kuala Lumpur following the return of five kidnapped Japanese nationals in October 2002. This time they chose to go about their discussions with three separate and simultaneous channels for each of three issues; normalizing relations, missiles and nuclear weapons development, and the kidnapping of Japanese citizens. That was done to try and avoid the vicious cycle experienced at previous negotiations when differences over one issue would prevent progress on all the others, but still there was no breakthrough because there had been no real changes to the basic positions of each side.

North Korea's highest priority was establishing diplomatic relations after dealing with unresolved issues from the colonial past, and demanded Japan reflect on and give compensation for colonial rule, the return of cultural artifacts, and an end to discrimination against Koreans in Japanese society. Japan repeated its earlier position that other issues cannot be dealt with until the issue of its kidnapped citizens is resolved, and regarding colonial-era issues it insisted on the compromise represented by the "economic cooperation formula" it gave to South Korea and the Philippines. When Japan demanded the North hand over those directly responsible for the kidnappings, the North responded by demanding that Japan hand over officials from civic groups aiding North Korean defectors.

We fully understand Japan's profound interest in the kidnapping issue. But it would be intolerable for it to use the issue delay dealing with the colonial past indefinitely, having neglected that concern for the some sixty years since the end of World War II. It was rash for Japan's chief negotiator and Japanese chief cabinet secretary Shinzo Abe to mention the possibility of enacting sanctions against North Korea immediately after the talks ended. It only makes the road to resolution a longer one when the side that has a historical responsibility towards the colonial past makes comments that are deliberately meant to upset the other side.

The Hankyoreh, 9 February 2006.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]