TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - DPRK

UNCLAS TOKYO 002825 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR I/RF, PA/PR/FPC/W, IIP/G/EA, EAP/PD, R/MR, EAP/J, EAP/P, PM; USTR FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE; TREASURY FOR OASIA/IMI; SECDEF FOR OASD/PA; CP BUTLER OKINAWA FOR AREA FIELD OFFICE; PACOM HONOLULU FOR PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ADVISOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OIIP KMDR KPAO JA SUBJECT: TOKYO MEDIA REACTION - DPRK ¶1. LEAD STORIES: Most Friday morning papers front-paged DOS spokesman McCormack's confirmation of Assistant Secretary of State Hill's meeting on Thursday with his SIPDIS North Korean counterpart Kim Kye Gwan in Pyongyang. ¶2. "A/S Hill's Visit to DPRK: Don't Leave Abduction Issue Behind" The conservative Sankei editorialized (6/22): "Assistant Secretary of State Hill, the chief US delegate to the six-party talks, visited Pyongyang Thursday for talks with his North Korean counterpart Kim Kye Gwan and other officials. The purpose of Hill's visit was to hold direct talks on the North's implementation of initial steps toward denuclearization, including the shutdown and sealing of the Yongbyon nuclear complex, and a resumption of the six-party talks.... Hill must not only ensure that the DPRK implements the initial steps but also discern North Korea's willingness to completely abandon its nuclear program. He should keep in mind that there can be no retreat from the February six-party agreement, and that he must press the North Koreans to resolve the abduction issue. Japan has consistently called for a comprehensive settlement of the nuclear, missile, and abduction issues. It is only natural that the Abe administration has been insisting that Japan will not provide any economic assistance to Pyongyang without progress leading to a settlement of the abduction issue. Japan should maintain this policy." DONOVAN