Present there were officials of Japan, Osaka citizens and Koreans in Japan.

The Osaka co-representative of the Citizens Solidarity Demanding Earlier Normalization of the Relations between Japan and the DPRK said in a speech that the international solidarity movement is progressing apace to replace the Korean Armistice Agreement by a peace treaty on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the agreement. He called for making this meeting as an occasion of setting right the Japanese government's policy towards the DPRK.

The chief of the editorial board of a magazine gave a lecture on the theme of "Present situation on Korean Peninsula and prospect of normalization of Japan-DPRK relations" at the meeting.

The touch-and-go situation on the Korean Peninsula is being defused thanks to the invariable peace policy of the DPRK and its sincere efforts, the chief noted.

Giving impressions of the DPRK, he said: The Korean people are full of hope for the future and optimism, stepping up economic construction. It is none other than the U.S. which persists in provocations for a war.

Japan's redemption of its past crimes is essential for improving relations with the DPRK. It is necessary for the international community to raise its voices to pressurize Japan to drop national chauvinism and opt for coming out at the talks for normalizing relations with the DPRK.

A written request to the Japanese prime minister was adopted at the meeting.