N. Korean Leader Sees Abduction Issue As Settled: S. Korean Professor

Seoul, Oct. 9 (Jiji Press)–North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has indicated that he considers the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens to North Korea has already been settled, at his meeting with South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun last week.

Yonsei University professor Moon Chung In, who accompanied Roh to Pyongyang, told foreign journalists here Monday that Kim has told Roh that there are no more Japanese abductees in North Korea, suggesting that Pyongyang considers the issue as settled.

Kim made the remark after Roh raised the abduction issue by conveying a message from Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda requesting Pyongyang to solve the issue, according to Moon.

Moon, a political science professor, also said that Kim agreed with Roh’s argument that an improvement in Japan-North Korea relations will have favorable effects on economic cooperation between North and South Korea.

Roh visited Pyongyang for three days till last Thursday for a summit meeting with Kim.END

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