World News G-8 pressures N. Korea on abductions

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Tokyo breathed a sigh of relief June 3 as the leaders of the Group of Eight nations urged North Korea to resolve the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by Pyongyang agents.

"We support the efforts made by the different parties to seek by peaceful means a comprehensive solution to the North Korean issue and to other matters, including unresolved humanitarian problems such as the abductions," the chairman's closing statement said.

It is the first time the G-8 leaders have mentioned the abduction issue clearly in any of their statements.

Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and Russia concluded their three-day gathering in Evian, France, with a one-hour session to adopt the statement.

Speaking at a news conference after the summit ended, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said he raised the abduction issue at the G-8 summit a year ago, but the G-8 nations did not mention it in the final statement.

On other issues this year, the G-8 leaders sought to demonstrate unity on rebuilding Iraq, and reiterated their commitment to supporting sustainable development in developing nations, especially in Africa, and combatting terrorist-related activities.

They also urged North Korea "to visibly, verifiably and irreversibly dismantle any nuclear weapons programs" and expressed concerns over Iran's nuclear development.

サミット議長総括に拉致問題明記

主要国首脳会議の議論をまとめた議長総括には、朝鮮民主主義人民共和国の拉致事件がサミット文書として初めて明記された。

Shukan ST: June 13, 2003

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