There took place section chief-level preliminary talks between the governments of the DPRK and Japan in Beijing, China from August 29 to 31.

At the bilateral Red-Cross talks that were held before the preliminary talks, both sides reached the consensus of view that government involvement is necessary for a satisfactory solution to the issue of remains of Japanese buried in the Korean soil. The preliminary talks are the results of suggestions made by the participants in the Red-Cross talks to their governments.

At the preliminary talks, both sides informed the other side of their stands on the inter-governmental talks that will be held regarding the issue of the remains of Japanese. They also discussed the issues concerning the agenda items, level, place and time for the talks and agreed to provide coordination through diplomatic channel in the future.

In this regard, the Japanese government and political and media fields are saying that the DPRK accepted the inclusion of "abduction issue" in the main agenda items of the talks and the DPRK is expecting sort of economic rewards through the issue of remains of Japanese. But this is a sheer lie.

The misrepresentation of facts which is a mockery of the good faith shown by the DPRK increases the suspicion as to the Japanese side's abuse of the issue of remains for meeting its sordid political purpose.

The DPRK has approached the issue of the remains of Japanese in good faith and with magnanimity from the humanitarian stand and will keep doing so.

But if Japan keeps seeking an ulterior political purpose, it will adversely affect the DPRK-Japan inter-governmental talks.