Japan urged closer to N Korea

There have been emotional North-South Korean reunions

By Charles Scanlon in Tokyo

South Korean President Kim Dae-jung has urged Japan to improve its relations with North Korea.

Speaking after talks in Japan with the Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshiro Mori, Mr Kim stressed the importance of Japan's role in moves towards reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.

Mr Mori said he fully backed South Korea's efforts to engage the North.

This was the first meeting between the Japanese and South Korean leaders since President Kim's ground-breaking visit to North Korea in June.

President Kim and his wife greeted before the talks

The two countries have agreed to cooperate closely with each other and with the United States in policy towards North Korea, but Japan has been lagging behind.

It has failed to make much progress in its efforts to establish diplomatic relations with the North.

At a joint news conference, President Kim said improved ties between Tokyo and North Korea would benefit the South as well, and lead to a substantial improvement in regional security.

Japanese funds needed

He said he believed the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il was receptive to the idea of diplomatic relations.

Japanese support and, more specifically money, is a key part of President Kim's strategy for the eventual reunification of the two Korean states.

He told Japanese business leaders on Friday night that South Korea did not have enough resources of its own to rebuild the North Korean economy.

Mr Mori said he was open to the idea of a direct meeting with the North Korean leader, although he said no preparations were in progress at the moment.

North Korea is demanding compensation for Japanese colonial rule as a prelude to diplomatic normalisation.

Japan says it will consider economic aid, but it first wants information about 10 Japanese citizens allegedly kidnapped by North Korean agents.