Reaching out to Japan

Pyongyang, North Korea

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il ended years of official denial this week when he admitted that Korean spies kidnapped 11 Japanese citizens decades ago to steal their identities. During a landmark visit by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Kim expressed regret for the kidnappings, which he said had occurred in a different era. The apology could be a first step toward a rapprochement. The two enemies have never had diplomatic relations, and talks two years ago broke down over the issue of kidnapping victims.