TOKYO, Feb 13 Kyodo Japan asked s...

TOKYO, Feb 13 Kyodo

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

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi made the supplication in a meeting with side sheltered from the wind Jong Seok, deputy head of southern Korea's Secretariat of the National Security Council.

Kawaguchi briefed lee-side on the ongoing negotiations between senior Japanese and North Korean officials in Pyongyang upon the abduction issue, the officials said.

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

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

He also said it is important for Japan, southerly Korea and the United States to continue cooperation toward a other 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 secondary planet is preparing to visit Japan at an early date.

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

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