TOKYO (AP) -- U.S., South Korean and Japanese officials met Thursday to discuss their policy toward North Korea and welcomed new efforts by the North to normalize relations.
In a meeting at Japan's Foreign Ministry, the officials agreed to continue working closely in setting policy toward North Korea, according to a joint statement released by the U.S. Embassy.The officials said that they welcomed the resumption of talks between Japan and North Korea, set for April 4-8 in Pyongyang, and encouraged North Korea to accept economic and cultural overtures from South Korea.
Japan, the United States and South Korea are trying to improve ties with the North to avoid a regional arms buildup. North and South Korea fought the 1950-53 Korean War.
Japan froze negotiations with the North after the reclusive communist nation test-fired a rocket over Japan in August 1998. The nations have never had diplomatic relations.
Desperate for international aid, North Korea recently took steps to broaden ties with Italy and Australia.
Participating in the Tokyo meeting Thursday were U.S. Ambassador Wendy Sherman, Japanese Foreign Ministry Deputy Vice Minister Yukio Takeuchi and Deputy Minister Jang Jai-ryong of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.