Japan Lifts N. Korea Sanctions

CHEN:
Diplomatic talks between Japan and North Korea are underway. The Japanese have announced a partial lifting of sanctions after Pyongyang agreed to look into the abductions of Japanese citizens. Here's more.

STORY:
In the past establishing diplomatic ties was difficult because of the dispute over Japanese nationals snatched by North Korean agents.

But Japanese citizens will soon be able to fly to North Korea again. Charter flights and travel bans will soon be lifted after Pyongyang agreed to re-investigate the fate of the Japanese citizens abducted decades ago.

[Nobutaka Machimura, Japanese Gov. Spokesperson]:
"As the Japanese -- North Korean talks have made progress and taking into account all the facts, the Japanese government has decided to take partial action."

Tokyo first imposed sanctions in October 2006 after North Korea test-launched ballistic missiles and conducted a nuclear test.

[Nobutaka Machimura, Japanese Gov. Spokesperson]:
"The Japanese government will move to resolve comprehensibly the abduction and the nuclear missile issues and clear our unfortunate past history and will continue to negotiate for a rapid normalization of diplomatic relations."

North Korea admitted to taking 13 Japanese six years ago. Five are repatriated, but Pyongyang says the other eight are dead.

This issue is a highly emotive one in Japan and the government wants any survivors sent home.

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News & Politics

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