Friday, February 17, 2006

Japan and North Korea Meet

Representatives from both countries sat down together for intense talks that addressed issues ranging from the abduction of Japanese citizens to the possibility of normalizing relations. The abductions issue [there is a great article on N. Korea's underground efforts to kidnap foreigners and force them to train N. Korea operatives in both culture and language here] had a session that lasted nine hours as Japan and N. Korea tried to come to a consensus. They ultimately failed to resolve anything.

The Japanese reaction was harsh. The Japanese government and people have been extremely mad about the abductions and nearly leveled sanctions on North Korea a few years back. However, N. Korean threats that such sanctions would be considered an act of war cooled the Japanese government's resolve despite consitent popular support for the sanctions. This time, at least increased pressure and possible sanctions are on the horizon. However, it is hard to imagine things getting much worse than they already are as Japan and N. Korea's trade reached its lowest level since 1977.

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