Korea-Japan Fishery Talks

Korea and Japan began fisheries talks at staff level on September 17 in Seoul to finish revising a fisheries agreement before president Kim Dae Jung visits Japan as a national guest. Both sides plan to discuss controversial points including the width of the exclusive fishing zone, location of the eastern limit of the common fishing area, and resource preservation.
In the case of the eastern limit of common area, they will reach a conclusion through talks between foreign ministers. Regarding this point, Korea has insisted on the 136th degree of east longitude but Japan has insisted on the 135th degree as an eastern limit. A source at the government said, 'Unless both sides reach a conclusion, it will be difficult to sign on agreement during the president's visit because it needs to go through many official processes'