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Tokyo (AFP): Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Aso reiterated Sunday that Japan does not consider North Korea a nuclear power as envoys gather in Beijing for six-nation talks after a hiatus of more than a year. Asked by reporters if Japan recognizes the North as a nuclear power, Aso said, “No, it doesn't.”
“I don't think it's considered so by the United States, China or Russia, either.”
The six-party talks are due to resume Monday in Beijing after a 13-month hiatus during which North Korea tested an atom bomb.
Aso said the participating nations will face tough negotiations to convince Pyongyang to give up nuclear arms.
“The six-party talks are originally meant to stop North Korea from becoming a nuclear power,” he said. “We have never had the talks while having to deal with the North claiming to have nuclear arms.”
“This is the first time that we have the six-way negotiations after the North conducted the nuclear test, so we have to start from there and I don't think it would be easy.”
Japan is one of the six nations committed to the negotiations, which include the two Koreas, China, Russia and the United States.
