North Korea says that Japan needs to first and foremost resolve its past wrongdoings towards other Asian nations if it seeks favorable relationships with those countries.

North Korea’s Central News Agency said on Thursday that Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda must acknowledge and apologize for its past wrongdoings, such as taking responsibility for the women who were forced into sexual slavery. The North’s new agency stated that a friendly relationship between North Korea and Japan cannot exist without Japan’s apology and compensation.

North Korea and Japan agreed during a meeting in Beijing in August to hold negotiations in the near future regarding areas of mutual interests. However, follow-up talks between the two countries have yet to take place.