TOKYO, December 31 (Itar-Tass) —— North Korea calls for the resumption of intergovernmental consultations with Japan and South Korea. The nuclear talks were suspended fully over the recent North Korean launch of a heavy rocket with the satellite, Kyodo News reported on Monday.
On the diplomatic channels Pyongyang put it clear to Tokyo and Seoul that the country would like to continue intergovernmental consultations, Kyodo News reported.
In the second half of this year the talks between Tokyo and Pyongyang, which do not have official diplomatic relations, have intensified quite noticeably. Last August the first intergovernmental consultations were held in Beijing after a long interval, last November their second round was held in Ulan Bator. Both negotiating parties noted then that “a substantial exchange of opinions” took place at the consultations. However, all negotiations between the two countries were suspended after North Korea’s launch of a heavy rocket with the satellite on December 12, and Japan even called for imposing additional sanctions against North Korea. The negotiations between Seoul and Pyongyang were also suspended.
On December 12, North Korea blasted off successfully a heavy launch vehicle with the satellite from the spaceport Sohae on the north-western coast of the country. The rocket launch stirred up a negative response of the world community, which finds it as North Korea’s direct violation of two resolutions of the UN Security Council. Meanwhile, Pyongyang insists on the country’s right to use the outer space “for peaceful purposes”.