Rodong Sinmun Tuesday observes in a bylined commentary in this regard:

This is nonsensical sophism which can be made only by those seized with the hostile policy toward the DPRK, unaware of the basic spirit of the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration.

The Pyongyang declaration calls upon Japan to liquidate the inglorious past and realize diplomatic relations with the DPRK.

The declaration has not yet been implemented. It is attributable to Japan keen on the moves against the DPRK, the commentary notes, and goes on:

Japan is now pushing the DPRK-Japan relations to an extreme phase pursuant to the hostile policy toward the DPRK in line with the U.S. moves for stifling it, contrary to the spirit of the declaration.

If the Japanese authorities respect the declaration, they should stop all the hostile acts against the DPRK, to say nothing of economic pressure and blockade against it.

Japan's violation of the declaration is evidenced by the fact that it is evading the past liquidation, the core for settling the issue of the bilateral relations.

The Japanese authorities speak loudly of implementing the declaration but they are working hard to shift the blame for non-compliance with it on to the DPRK. They can never evade their duty on redressing the past crimes from the international legal point of view.

What is basic in settling the issue of DPRK-Japan relations is Japan's liquidation of the past crimes.

The Japanese authorities had better clearly bear this in mind and do what it should do.