Japanese Arrive for Talks With North Korea

Vowing to push North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program and end a tug of war over five Japanese citizens abducted decades ago, Japanese officials arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for talks on establishing diplomatic relations with the reclusive Communist state.

The talks were made possible by an unprecedented summit between the leaders of the two nations last month.

The head of Japan’s delegation, Katsunari Suzuki, acknowledged that the two-day talks, which begin today, will be difficult. “The hurdle is very high,” he said.