According to Korea’s Foreign Ministry, the Japanese envoy to the six party nuclear talks, Shinsuke Sugiyama, explained that the recent talks between Japan and North Korea regarding the abductees issue were not government-level talks, but unofficial talks.

Sugiyama made such remarks during a meeting with his Korean counterpart, Lim Sung-nam, while visiting Seoul.

Sugiyama said that if official talks between the two sides resume, he will be the government’s representative. He made it clear that Japan’s official position will be announced only through him.

The South Korean government had expressed concerns that Japan’s exclusive talks with Pyeongyang would not help the resumption of the six party talks, and could hamper cooperation among South Korea, the United States and Japan.