Japan Thursday urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to take "concrete actions" before the six-party talks resume, after Pyongyang proposed unconditional talks with South Korea, Xinhua reported.
"I believe what is important for DPRK is to take concrete actions with sincerity, with good faith," said visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
North-South dialogue should take place in the first place, and then if DPRK takes concrete measures, the six-party talks would restart as China suggested because there was no reason to reject that, Maehara said.
The DPRK Wednesday offered "unconditional" negotiations with South Korean to demolish misunderstanding and distrust as well as achieve peace and prosperity.
The foreign minister also urged DPRK to refrain from any "further provocations."
His words were echoed by Clinton, who voiced determination to move forward and ease the tension on the Korean Peninsula.
"We are determined to move forward, to end the provocative behavior, and to once again focus on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Clinton said.