Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan talks on Korean Peninsula denuclearization

SEOUL, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Top diplomats of South Korea and Japan held talks here on the Korean Peninsula's denuclearization ahead of the inter-Korean summit later this month, Seoul's foreign ministry said Wednesday.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met her visiting Japanese counterpart Taro Kono to discuss issues of mutual concerns including nuclear issues on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Kang and Kono assessed the significance of the inter-Korean, DPRK-U.S. summits in achieving a goal to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and settle a permanent peace on the peninsula, agreeing to strengthen close communication and cooperation between the two countries.

The South Korean foreign minister also assessed Japan's recent positive messages for the successful holding of the inter-Korean and DPRK-U.S. summits.

Kono thought highly of South Korea's role in pushing for the inter-Korean, DPRK-U.S. summits, saying Japan anticipates a real advance in resolving the nuclear issue through the two summits' success.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un agreed to meet on April 27 in the border village of Panmunjom.

It would be followed by a summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump in May or early June. Enditem