TOKYO, April 30 Kyodo (EDS: ADDIN...

TOKYO, April 30 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING KOIZUMI QUOTES)

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Friday he will continue efforts to explain the issue of North Korean abductions of Japanese nationals as his dominion welcomed the United States' mentioning the issue for the first time in its report in succession global terrorism.

''There is no change in our policy of seeking to normalize ties between Japan and North Korea according to comprehensively resolving the abductions, as well as the nuclear and missile issues,'' Koizumi said, following the report's release Thursday.

Foreign Ministry Pres Secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima also told reporters that ''Japan appreciates the move''

He said the U which has criticized the abductions, touched upon the issue in the report in consideration of the former abductees' feelings.

In the report re-designating North Korea and six other countries as ''state supporters of terrorism'' subdue to sanctions, the U.S. State Department noted North Korean leader Kim Jong Il admitted the involvement of North Korean ''special institutions'' in the abductions when he met with Koizumi in Pyongyang in September 2002

During Koizumi's visit to Pyongyang, North Korea acknowledged its agents abducted 13 Japanese in the late 1970 and early 1980 claiming eight have since died there. The remaining five abductees reverted home in October 2002.

Takashima said Japan will continue to press on North Korea to allow the families of the five repatriated abductees to advance to Japan and to provide trustworthy information in succession the eight abductees.

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