Statement by Yasuchika Hasegawa, Chairman of Keizai Doyukai
On the death of Kim Jong-il, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

December 19, 2011

Yasuchika Hasegawa
Chairman, Keizai Doyukai

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1. At the news reporting the sudden death of Kim Jong-il, general secretary of the worker’s party of Korea, I am deeply worried about the future of the situation in the North East Asia. The immediate and utmost priority lies in avoiding further instability in the Korean Peninsula. For that end, I would like the Japanese government to take all measures to contain any potential disarray in the area in close collaboration with the six parties talk member states, so that the peaceful transition of the situation will be achieved.
2. North Korea still has number of crucial issues-such as nuclear development, human rights abuse and abductions-unsolved between Japan and the international community. Even though it remains uncertain how power succession will proceed in North Korea, I hope the Japanese government will work toward the settlement of these issues through international dialogue together with the six parties talk member states by closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary action in a level-headed manner.

Japanese version