Korean Peninsula

 
(a) The maintenance of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula is
important for peace and stability in East Asia including Japan. Japan has
made various efforts in contributing to the relaxation of tensions in this area.
As part of its efforts, Japan attempted to deepen understanding with such
nations as China and the United States, which share a deep interest in the
Korean Peninsula, strongly hoping for the gradual relaxation of tensions
through substantial North-South dialogues. The exchange of views Japan
has made with major countries concerned from 1981 to the early part of
1982 regarding the Korean Peninsula include the Suzuki-Reagan talks and
working level discussions with China and the Soviet Union.
As for the North-South dialogue, Republic of Korea President Chun
Doo Hwan proposed to resume the dialogue without any condition in
January and June. Furthermore, a concrete plan to realize the peaceful
unification of the peninsula was presented in January 1982. Regretfully,
however, such a dialogue has yet to be materialized. Japan feels that the
various proposals made by President Chun are constructive and pays close
attention to future developments, with the hopes of realizing the resumption
of the dialogue.
(b) Japan attaches importance to the promotion of friendly and
cooperative relationships with the Republic of Korea. Consequently, it is
endeavoring to develop positive ties based on the popular supports of the
peoples through the strengthening of exchanges involving every field. The
necessity to further develop the relationship between the two countries was
confirmed in March 1981 by Foreign Minister Ito and Foreign Minister Lho
when the former visited Korea to attend the inauguration ceremonies of
President Chun Doo Hwan. Repeated confirmation was made on such
occasions as the Japan-R.O.K. Foreign Ministers' Talks in August 1981 and
the Japan-R.O.K. 11th Regular Ministerial Conference in September 1981.
The R.O.K. has asked for Japan's cooperation in providing financial aid
totalling $6 billion for the coming five years in order to assist in its Fifth
Five-Year Economic and Social Development Plan. This request has
become an important pending issue between Japan and the R.O.K.
 (c) Regarding relations with North Korea, Japan continues to follow a
policy of developing the exchanges in trade, economic, cultural and other
fields step by step.