Japan, Sweden Agree to Keep Up Pressure on N. Korea

Tokyo, March 21 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and his Swedish counterpart, Margot Wallstrom, in phone talks on Wednesday confirmed the importance of continuing to pressure North Korea to make the reclusive nation abandon its nuclear and missile programs. The phone conversation took place after Margot held a series of meetings with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho in Stockholm last week. Kono asked for Sweden's cooperation in resolving early the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea decades ago. Margot replied that her country supports Japan's position on the abduction issue. In the Stockholm talks with Ri, the Swedish minister stressed the need for Pyongyang to give up nuclear and missile development. END