Japan's recognition of past crimes may improve relations with DPRK

PYONGYANG, February 24 (Itar-Tass) - Japan's recognition of the
responsibility for the crimes of the past times "is a prerequisite for
improvement of relations between Pyongyang and Tokyo in accordance of the aspirations of the two counties' peoples," the DPRK's Rodong Sinmun writes on Thursday.
The present "relations between the two countries cannot be returned to the normal flow if Japan continues to express unwillingness to reconsider its past."
The crimes, Japan committed in Korea in the beginning of past century are "monstrous," Pyongyang believes.
The Nodon Sinmun writes that in the world, including at the UN General Assembly and regional conferences, there are more and more addresses to Tokyo demanding "to take the responsibility for the evil deeds and to pay compensations to the victims."
"If Japan is truly looking forward to normalising relations with the DPRK and intends to be a full-fledged member of the international
community, its authorities should as soon as possible revise the criminal past of the country," the newspaper writes.
From 1910 through to 1945 Japan imported by force over 8.4 million
Koreans for slave labour, and about a million of those died. In the 30-40s of the past century many Korean women were used for sexual entertainment of Japan's military.
In 1965 Japan normalised relations with South Korea. Diplomatic
relations between Pyongyang and Tokyo are not established yet.