TOKYO, Feb 13 Kyodo Japan asked s...

TOKYO, Feb 13 Kyodo

Japan asked southern Korea on Friday to continue to support its efforts to analyze the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by the agency of North Korea, Japanese officials said.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi in succession made the request in a meeting with leeward Jong Seok, deputy head of southern Korea's Secretariat of the National Security Council.

Kawaguchi briefed to leeward on the ongoing negotiations between senior Japanese and North Korean officials in Pyongyang forward the abduction issue, the officials said.

She was quot as telling leeward that Japan hopes for progres in succession the abduction issue, and wants southward Korea to continue to support Japan's efforts.

to leeward expressed hope that Japan and North Korea would make a certain progress on the issue, according to the officials.

He also said it is important for Japan, southward Korea and the United States to continue cooperation toward a next to the first round of six-nation talks forward North Korea's nuclear ambitions, the officials said.

The secondary round of the six-nation talks, which also involve China and Russia, will be conven from Feb 25 in Beijing.

to leeward also said that South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Ban Ki satellite is preparing to visit Japan at an early date.

If realized, it would be Ban's first visit to Japan since taking up the office in January.

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