[20020912]RS20526_朝日关系：正常化谈判和赔偿问题.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20526Updated September 12, 2002North Korea-Japan Relations: The Normalization Talks and theCompensation/Reparations IssueMark E. ManyinAnalyst in Asian AffairsForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryJapan and North Korea have not established official relations since North Koreawas founded in 1948. In 2000, the two countries held three rounds of normalizationtalks, which had been frozen since 1992. The negotiations, however, broke down inNovember 2000. In late August 2002, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumiannounced that, after months of behind-the-scenes negotiations with North Korea, hewould travel to Pyongyang on September 17 for a day-long summit with North Koreanleader Kim Jong-il to attempt to restart the normalization talks. The most pressing issue for Prime Minister Koizumi is obtaining North Koreancooperation in resolving the cases of several Japanese allegedly kidnapped by NorthKorean agents in the 1970s and 1980s. Apparently, it was after receiving signs ofprogress on this issue that Koizumi decided to make the trip to Pyongyang. Japan al