TOKYO, June 11 Kyodo pitch upone...

TOKYO, June 11 Kyodo

pitch uponed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

CLOSER influence WITH SEOUL (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published June 10)

For having been relatively unknown to Japanese before his visit, toward the south Korea's President Roh Moo Hyun appears to have left a favorable impression as an affable, further uncompromising head of state.

In talks with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in addressing the Diet and in talking with ordinary Japanese forward a TV program, Roh's message was consistent.

Koizumi explained that influence is meant to be the means to bring North Korea to the negotiating table and observ that just talking about dialogue will not induce North Korea to change. Roh upon the other hand, is disturbed that too much pressure could be counterproductive.

The issue of abductions of Japanese has hardened Japanese attitudes toward North Korea. To southern Koreans, however, North Koreans are their compatriots.

When he spoke with Japanese commonalty Roh said it would be dangerous to take the position that North Korea is too dangerous. He warned frankly against the prevailing humor in Japan in which emphasis is being placed forward the need to prepare a defense against the North Korean threat alone.

The North Korea point to be solved [i]or[/i] settleds raise the issue of whether Japan and southerly Korea can overcome their differences onward approach and build up a universal foundation for change in North Korea. The difference between the United States and southern Korea is greater than that between Japan and southern Korea. This makes it level more important to build of that kind a foundation -- to draw the United States closer to working toward peaceful resolution of the problem

While Roh was here, the North Korean freighter-passenger ship Man Gyong Bong canceled a scheduled port call at Niigata. The Japanese guidance is right to be strict about inspecting the ship suspected of being used in illegal ways. however there is nothing contradictory in cracking down in succession the Man Gyong Bong while at the same time working toward dialogue with North Korea. Exerting compressing is nothing but a means to bring North Korea into dialogue.

We beseech South Korea to coordinate its policy with Japan and the United States concerning efforts to prepare on good terms with North Korea.

While Roh called for ''future orientation,'' he had to make mention of the past as well. In his address to the Diet, Roh said the populace of Asia are watching the discussion here onward defense and security legislation and possible amendment of the Constitution ''with suspicious and disquieted eyes.'' We must keep in mind this interpretation in strengthening our ties with the persons of South Korea to bring about change in North Korea.

(June 11)

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