Kim and Mori Agree on North Korean Food and SOC Aid

President Kim Dae-jung and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori agreed to send food aid to North Korea and to help it strengthen its social infrastructure at their second round of talks held Sunday in Atami, Japan.
Saying "the North's food situation is dire and helping out in difficult times will contribute to the normalization of relations between Japan and North Korea," President Kim asked Japan to extend food aid to the North.
Prime Minister Mori, in response, said that he would "make every effort," in effect accepting Kim's request.
President Kim also said that he would do all he could to facilitate the normalization of Japan-North Korea relations, and the two leaders agreed to consult closely - by phone if necessary - on the issue.
The two leaders concentrated on North Korea, having earlier clinched an agreement to jointly promote and foster information technology in South Korea and Japan.
President Kim and first lady Lee Hee-ho returned to Seoul Sunday, winding up a three-day visit to Japan.

by Kim Jin-Koon