(* This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba

Date: Thursday, March 1, 2012, 9:48 a.m.
Place: In front of Minister’s Reception Room

Main topics:

Opening Remarks
- (1) Announcement on the Agreement Reached during the U.S.-North Korea Dialogue
Announcement on the Agreement Reached during the U.S.-North Korea Dialogue

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Announcement on the Agreement Reached during the U.S.-North Korea Dialogue

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba: With regard to the agreement between the U.S. and North Korea , which was announced late last night,I welcome this agreement reached between the United States and North Korea, which is an important step toward the resolution of various issues of concerns regarding North Korea. It is as an important result that it is confirmed that North Korea will fulfill its commitment to denuclearization in the Joint Statement of Six-Party Talks in 2005 and that North Korea has agreed to take measures toward denuclearization such as the return of IAEA inspectors and the moratorium concerning nuclear facilities at Yongbyon and also agreed to implement a moratorium on nuclear tests and long-range missile launches. I would like to value the agreement as a result of the persistent efforts by the countries concerned. I hope that the consultations to be conducted for the actual implementation of the agreement would progress smoothly and that North Korea will remain engaged in the dialogue in a positive manner. It has been the position of the Government of Japan that concrete actions taken by North Korea toward denuclearization and its other commitments should pave the way for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks and other dialogues between North Korea and the countries concerned. The Government will continue to address this issue in close coordination with the United States, the Republic of Korea, and other countries concerned.

2. Announcement on the Agreement Reached during the U.S.-North Korea Dialogue

NHK, Yoshioka: In this agreement, only Yongbyon nuclear complex is mentioned as the facility at which uranium enrichment activities will be brought to a moratorium. Some point out, however, that unless on-site inspection is allowed at other suspected nuclear facilities and the verification is carried out at the Additional Protocol level, the monitoring and verification of nuclear activities will not be sufficient. Do you think that this agreement is a satisfactory one considering that only Yongbyon is mentioned in it?

Minister Gemba: This agreement marks a significant step forward, and I expect that it will serve as a foundation. As you mentioned, our goal is to put all the nuclear related facilities into suspension. In other words, complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsular in a verifiable manner. In that respect, our goal has not changed at all. However, we consider this agreement as a significant step and expect that it will provide a foundation for subsequent negotiations that are aimed at suspending nuclear activities at all facilities.

Yoshioka, NHK: In principle, the food aid by the U.S. government should be carried out on humanitarian grounds. This time, however, it seems to be used as a bargaining chip for nuclear negotiation. Do you think it is sound that food aid is used this way?

Minister Gemba: One thing is that I consider it as nutritional assistance rather than food aid. The other is that I think this is basically the matter between the U.S. and North Korea. What is important is whether or not it will help ensure actions on the side of North Korea toward its denuclearization.

Tajima, Nikkei Shimbun: While the suspension of plutonium-type development is stipulated in the announcement made by the U.S., it is not mentioned in the announcement by North Korea. What is your view on it?

Minister Gemba: Our Director-General has been briefed in details of this matter by a U.S. official in charge during his visit to Japan. I am also aware of the text released by North Korea. I see some discrepancies in the announcements but on that point, there are no significant ones.

Ono, TV Asahi: What do you think of the fact that resumption of the Six-Party Talks was not mentioned in the announcement by the U.S.?

Minister Gemba: I think that further coordination will be necessary in order to resume the Six-Party Talks. I don’t think we are quite ready to restart the talks right now. I think, however, that environment for holding the talks is improving.

Nishida, Mainichi Shimbun: Let me ask you about two things. How do you think the result of this U.S.-North Korea talks will affect the resumption of Japan-North Korea talks, and how are you planning to proceed with the talks with North Korea?

Minister Gemba: As I mentioned yesterday, we are not in the situation where we can restart the talks with North Korea immediately. However, the door to dialog is still open, and I think we must think about the appropriate timing and measures for restarting the talks.

Hasegawa, AFP: When we look back the past development of the Six-Party Talks over the long period, what North Korea has promised in this agreement is nothing new. In spite of that, North Korea has been able to obtain assurance for the food aid, which some people see as another demonstration of their brinkmanship diplomacy. What is your view on that?

Minister Gemba: As I mentioned earlier, this agreement does not stipulate any concrete actions. Therefore, I consider it merely as one step forward. This is only a moratorium, meaning that suspension is a temporary one. Further arrangements are necessary and details have yet to be worked out. However, as to the question of whether this is a positive sign or not in the broad perspective, I would say, yes it is a significant step forward.As I have been saying, what is truly important is to stipulate the concrete actions and ensure that they are implemented properly.

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