Kim apologizes for kidnapings

PYEONGYANG -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-il apologized Tuesday for his country's abduction of Japanese citizens and pledged to freeze missile tests indefinitely.

In a landmark meeting between the leaders of two historic Asian foes, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Mr. Kim, North Korea's National Defense Commission chairman, agreed to resume bilateral talks next month to normalize diplomatic relations. Japan expressed "sincere remorse" for its past colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

After decades of denial, Mr. Kim finally admitted to the Japanese leader that North Korean agents had abducted Japanese citizens. "This is truly regrettable, and I offer my frank apology," Mr. Kim was quoted as saying, and he added that those who were involved in the kidnappings have already been punished.

In a press briefing after the meeting, Mr. Koizumi said he had been given confirmed information about the abductees by Mr. Kim. He reiterated that the issue of the kidnapped Japanese remains his top priority. North Korea is aware of the significance of this matter and has conducted surveys to provide information, Mr. Koizumi quoted Mr. Kim as saying.

Before the meeting, North Korea's Red Cross provided information about the whereabouts of 12 missing Japanese to its Japanese counterpart on Tuesday, North Korea's official Central News Agency reported, quoting Pyeongyang's Foreign Ministry spokesman.

The list includes 11 people long believed by Tokyo to have been kidnapped by North Korean agents. Of the 11, only four were reported to be alive.

North Korea made a convincing and effective statement that it is ready to talk to Washington, Mr. Koizumi said. "Mr. Kim said his door is always open for dialogue with the United States and he asked me to convey that message."

Japan and North Korea issued a joint "Pyeongyang Declaration," after the two sets of talks between the two leaders ended. In the four-point statement, North Korea made public its intent to continue its missile test-launch moratorium beyond the approaching expiration date. The North Korean leader in 2001 unilaterally declared a moratorium until 2003.

Since North Korea shot a missile over Japanese territorial waters in 1998, Tokyo has been seeking a way to end Pyeongyang's missile program.

Japan and North Korea also pledged to comply with all international agreements governing nuclear issues on the peninsula.

Japan apologized for its aggression on the peninsula during the colonial period from 1910 to 1945. "Japan humbly recognized the historical fact that it caused tremendous damage and suffering to the people of Korea through its past colonial rule and expressed feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology," the statement said.

The expression was virtually identical to Tokyo's 1995 statement given to Asian neighbors. The two countries agreed to give up rights to the property held in each other's countries before the end of World War II.

Upon the future establishment of diplomatic relations, Japan agreed to offer economic aid to the North, the joint declaration said. Details will be discussed at talks to restore Tokyo-Pyeongyang ties, beginning before the end of October.

Despite earlier speculation, the joint statement did not include a concrete plan of how Japan will provide monetary reparations, other than the economic cooperation pledge.

After the one-day summit, Mr. Koizumi returned to Japan Tuesday evening.

by Joint Press Corps