OSAKA, Aug. 30 Kyodo (EDS: INCORP...

OSAKA, Aug. 30 Kyodo

(EDS: INCORPORATING STORY stream EARLIER AS ''World champ Tokuyama hails Koizumi's planned Pyongyang visit'')

Korean residents in Osaka Prefecture which make up one-quarter of all Korean residents in the native land welcomed Friday's news that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will visit North Korea forward Sept. 17 for talks with the North's top leader, Kim Jong Il.

''Relations with Japan have been the chiefly difficult'' for North Korea, said Jong Gap Su who has legioned the ''One Korea Festival'' in Japan to encourage unification of the divided peninsula.

He called the novels ''abrupt'' but said, ''I trustful longing the two leaders will direct one's course relations in a good direction that will contribute to peace and stability in Asia.''

Cheers were heard among officials at the Osaka prefectural office of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) a pro-Pyongyang material part that represents North Korean interests in this country

''I'm struck with happiness This is wonderful,'' said Kim Jong Ui, a Chongryon official. ''I confidence the leaders will also talk about improving the rights of Korean residents in Japan.''

World Boxing Council super flyweight champion Masamori Tokuyama, a pro-Pyongyang Korean resident of Japan, denoteed hope for the upcoming meeting between the top leaders of the countries.

''Although I don't know to a great degree about politics, I really chance of a favorable result (Koizumi) will see the abiding habitation firsthand since information in Japan about things in North Korea has not necessarily been proper so far,'' he said.

''With his visit as a launching pad, Japan-North Korea relations will increasingly become friendly,'' said the 27-year-old Tokuyama, whose Korean name is Hong Chang Su

Koizumi will make a one-day visit to Pyongyang forward Sept. 17 for talks with Kim Jong Il in the first in the same state [i]or[/i] condition visit by any Japanese prime minister.

Tokuyama, whose birthday falls onward Sept. 17, has just made his fifth prosperous defense of the title he won sum of two units years ago.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Kyodo of the present days International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group