TOKYO, Aug. 30 Kyodo Prime Minist...

TOKYO, Aug. 30 Kyodo

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Friday he will search for the settlement of allegations that more than 10 Japanese nationals were abducted to North Korea when he goe there nearest month for ''serious'' talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

''This time, we will come together to seek the possibility of resuming talks to normalize diplomatic ties,'' Koizumi told reporters at his office after the conduct announced he would go to the North upon Sept. 17 in what would be the first trip there according to a Japanese prime minister.

Koizumi also said he informed U President George W Bush and southerly Korean President Kim Dae Jung of his plans by means of telephone calls.

''Both of the presidents supported my plan,'' Koizumi said. He did not say when he called them.

The premier also said he had sought an opportunity to visit North Korea by the agency of bilateral negotiations ''behind the sights since about a year ago.''

Koizumi said he finally decided to visit Pyongyang after learning the eventuates of a series of late talks involving foreign ministers, R Cros officials and senior working-level officials from the couple foreign ministries in July and August.

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