1. With regard to the Japanese government’s decision on July 3 to lift some of its unilateral sanctions on North Korea, the Government of the Republic of Korea looks forward to an early resolution on humanitarian grounds of the issue concerning the abduction of Japanese nationals.

2. The Government of the Republic of Korea once again stresses that the Japan-North Korea consultations, including on easing Japan’s unilateral sanctions on North Korea, should, by all means, be held in a transparent manner and that all the relevant measures by Japan should be taken in a way that does not undermine the coordination among the ROK, the US and Japan on North Korea’s nuclear and missile issues. 


                Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation