Japan–North Korea Pyongyang Declaration

The Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration was signed in 2002, and was the result of a systematic Japan–North Korea summit meeting. Pyongyang declaration was initiated with the goal of creating diplomacy between the two nations where previously this was non-existent due to historic hostility. The aim of the declaration was to provide low-interest long term loans to North Korea as well as economic assistance (including humanitarian aid) in accordance with the moratorium of nuclear missile development which has been in place since 1999 [1]. However, in current developments this category of the agreement has been breached. (See North Korea and weapons of mass destruction).The Japanese government was aiming to achieve the return of Japanese abducted citizens which prior to the declaration was unacknowledged.

Japan- North Korea on World Map

The Pyongyang Declaration named after the North Korean capital, was a pinnacle motion in order to create an effective and fair relationship between the two countries. The declaration resulted in a temporary restraint on nuclear programs from North Korea, the return of 5 Japanese abductees occurring in the 1970s and 1980s[2] and the pledge of economic assistance once the abductees were returned.

From 2017, there have been consistent follow-up summit meetings due to breaches within the declaration leading to the requirement of mediators [3] to maintain a mutually beneficial declaration for the respective countries.


History of Japan - North Korea Relations
See also: Japan–North Korea relations

1904-1905

Japanese army during the Russo-Japanese War ending in their victory in the year 1905.

Following the end of the Russo-Japanese war led to the Japanese troops defeating Russia despite being inferior in numbers and resources and led to the 1910 annexation of Korea[4]. For over thirty five years the Korean peninsula was ruled mercilessly by the Japanese colonisation.

1945

The conclusion of World War II ended in a loss for Japan and therefore were unanimously removed of all their colonial possessions which Korea was a part of. Korea was under temporary ally control; this led to the pinnacle hostility and the Korean War (1950-1953)[5]. Once separated into South and North Korea the anti-japan tendencies within North Korea escalated.

1991-1992

North Korean National Flag adopted following liberation [6]

As there was an unstable relationship between the two countries between 1991 and 1992, there were approximately eight bilateral discussions with the aim of creating diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea[7].The basis of the declaration is built on the expectation of maintaining goodwill and cooperation between the two countries. The main agenda of this meeting was Japan wanting a resolution to key incidents including the abduction of Japanese citizens housing in North Korea. These “Zainichi Koreans” experienced systematic prejudice within Japan, to the point of loss of nationalism and barriers to future employment [8].

Following this incident in September 2002, North Korea publicly apologised to the Japanese government leading to the initial summit meeting[9]. Japan has been the instigator of diplomacy attempts with North Korea in order to meet mutually beneficial terms particularly due to the sensitivity the North Korean regime has on human-rights related criticism.

Pyongyang Declaration

Economic Assistance, Loans, Nuclear Missile Development
Declaration signing between Japan Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korea Supreme leader Kim Jong IL in 2002.

The first visit of Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to North Korea occurred in 2002. Prior to this summit meeting there was no acknowledgement of the Japanese abductees on the North Korean government’s behalf. This visit resulted in a formal apology by President Kim Jong IL and the official return of the abductees based in North Korea to Japanese soil. Additionally, the Japanese government made their first statement of apology to the North Korean government and their predecessors for the turmoil and suffering endured by their citizens during their colonial rule between 19010-1945[10]. Through this meeting the details of the declaration were discussed and agendas set.


The four subcategories of the Pyongyang Declaration included a pledge of economic assistance by Japan for their North Korean comrades. This would only be introduced after bilateral diplomatic relations were normalised and the abductees were returned. Stated by the Japanese Government there were approximately thirteen Japanese citizens abducted under predecessor Kim Jong Il’s reign, following the agreement five of these abductees were acknowledged and returned. Through this pledge, North Korea agreed to extend its moratorium on their missile testing which was becoming an international issue and threat of warfare[11]. In correspondence with this there is a mutual responsibility of neutralising and maintaining positive relations without the involvement of the United States. This was a large factor within the declarations and played a key role in maintaining positive relations.


There were two main agendas that mutually benefited both parties, with North Korea’s need for economic assistance and the possibility of long-term loans outweighed the interest of nuclear progression[12], therefore they signed.  With the agreement of nuclear progression indefinitely ceasing the declaration created mutually benefited parties with an equal level of compromise. The declaration included mutual cessation of military hostility in areas on confrontation[13], agreed to actively promote south-north environment cooperation, strengthen cooperation in the areas of prevention of future epidemics and the public health system through providing safety measures in which was equally available for the entirety of the population and mainly to find a form of resolution of separated families.

There was a key agreement that the Korean Peninsula must be turned into a land of peace free from nuclear weapons and nuclear threats[14].This was a particular essential point as Japan would not introduce the aid until normalisation and neutrality of the missile programs was certain.

North Korea Missile Testing
See also: List of North Korean missile tests

2005

In 2005, Pyongyang declared they were producing nuclear weapons and thus the food aid pledged by the prime minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan led to the suspension of this pledge[15].

2006

North Korea Ballistic Missile launch 2006 [16]

In January of 2006 North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced the indefinite suspension of all missile testing and nuclear programs[17]. However, in July of 2006 North Korea launched long-range missiles[18] leading to the United Nations and their affiliations passing a worldwide resolution ordering the state to dismantle their nuclear programme including the US government dismantling their oil delivery alliance[19]. The Japanese government further imposed sanctions including the unilateral ban of North Korean imports and the prohibition of the Man Gyong Bong 92 ferry entering Japan[20].

This resulted in several meetings titled the six party talks involving representatives from North and South Korea, China, Russia, Japan and the United States. These talks aimed to reach a peaceful middle ground and re-uphold the initial agreements of the Pyongyang declaration for both respective parties Japan and North Korea.


Following the July launch, in October representatives from North Korea announced on behalf of their government the further success of their nuclear testing leading to the United Nations to impose further sanctions including suspension of economic aid from the US government[21].


2007

Following mulitaral discussion within the six party talks the three initial meetings were unsuccessful in negotiations. In February North Korea shut down their largest nuclear power station for an aid package from the United Nations at the value of over $400 million USD [22].


2009

There was another announcement of a secondary nuclear test by the North Korean government with an approximate earthquake magnitude of 4.5 in their north east Kilju country[23]. The president of the United States Barack Obama following the nuclear launch stated:

North Korea is directly and recklessly challenging the international community.

The sanctions previously set by the United Nations were imposed with further additions following an emergency meeting.  North Korea responded by removing their participation in the six party talks [24].


2012

The diplomatic relations and meetings with incentives with the United States, Russia, Japan and China led to a conclusive moratorium by the DPRK state on all missile launches and nuclear programming for further aid including food.


2013

North Korea carried out a nuclear testing in February 2013 with rocket launches [25] and violated the security of UN resolutions in both 2014 and 2015 through short-fire rocket launches and short-range projectiles of North Korea’s east-coast[26].  Despite the goodwill attempt from The US states and South Korea towards the North Korean Regime through postponing their respective drills and pledging humanitarian assistance the North Korean government has had minimal motivation to reinstate diplomacy.

2017

Following a three year hiatus, the government of DPRK announced they were carrying out their sixth nuclear test leading to further six party talks which North Korea re-joined[27].

Current Developments

North Korea and Japan current diplomatic relations are neutral with sections of the Pyongyang declaration being upheld by the two parties. Due to the continuity of the Nuclear programme in North Korea, the United States introduced financial sanctions. Following these financial sanctions’ North Korea reintroduced provocations in July 2006 through firing ballistic missiles[28]. Following an additional nuclear test conducted by North Korea and an initiation of negotiations between Japan and North Korea. In order to help the tense relations between Japan and North Korea, the United States government interceded by removing Pyongyang from its list of state sponsors of terror as a move of good faith on behalf of North Korea as they played a key role in the deteriorating relationship between the two respective countries. Following the death of Kim Jong Il, his successor supreme leader Kim Jong Un took over relations[29]. The first initial two years under Kim Jong Un’s ( 2011-2013)[30] reign there were hostile relations between the two countries, in particular Japan condemning their satellite launch.


Stockholm Agreement

A Japanese and North Korean consultation occurred in May 2014, titled the Stockholm agreement due to the location of the meeting[31]. Following this meeting, negotiations officially reached an agreement where Kim Jong Un and the North Korean government dedicated a special investigation committee on the remaining abductees[32]. In addition they pledged a full-scale investigation in regards to the abductees families and the location of current missing Japanese citizens[33]. Following this initiative Japan lifted various sanctions including their importing ban of North Korean goods.

Currently under Kim Jong Un, North Korea missile testing and nuclear programs have expanded at a rapid rate and leaving the bilateral negotiations created under King Jong Il at a stall[34]. Whilst there are discussions for a comprehensive solution to finalise the abduction, nuclear and missile issues negotiations are currently still underway between the two respective countries.This is a particular issue as President Kim Jong Un has stated that they will continue launches and nuclear testing indefinitely. In response, the Japanese Government will maintain the sanctions they currently hold on the DPRK’s economic assistance.


2019

Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the 2019 UN Summit Meeting.[35]

Recently, in 2019 North Korea re-started Nuclear testing with a series of short-range missile testing leading to the January Summit Meeting which resulted in Kim Jong Un announcing the separation of the “unilaterally bound” Pyongyang declaration including the nuclear test moratorium [36]. In March 2019, for the first time in over a decade the Japanese government decided to withdraw their participation in the motion condemning North Korea’s record in regards to their Human Rights with the remaining UN human rights council.

This statement coincided with the trend that North Korea was meeting with representatives of the six-party countries from 2018 while excluding the Japanese representatives[37]. This motion was deemed an olive branch by the Japanese government to the North Korean government as their main concern is to have a face-to-face meeting with current president Kim Jong Un to establish an agreement on the remaining abductees who North Korea have announced are deceased or never entered the country[38], as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stated:


In order to resolve this abductions’ issue, we should not miss out on any single opportunity and I, myself, have to meet face-to-face with Chairman Kim Jong Un, and meet with him without attaching any conditions. I intend to work to resolve this issue, with the determination that we will not miss out any single opportunity.

Shinzo Abe, May 6, 2019[39].


As there have been steps taken to reignite diplomatic relations between the two respective parties there is the potential for further summit meetings to create a unilateral relationship which benefits both parties.

See also

References
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