[USFK Forums] Japan to increase pressure on North Korea [UPI]

[C. Y. Lee]

Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Tuesday, March 7, 2006

Japan to increase pressure on North Korea

TOKYO, March 6 (UPI) -- Tokyo will step up pressure on Pyongyang by enforcing restrictions on the flow of people, commodities and money to North Korea, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported.

The move is aimed at pressuring North Korea to resolve problems related to the abduction of Japanese nationals. Should it fail, the next step could be economic sanctions, the newspaper said.

The government will set up a subcommittee under the abduction task force at the Prime Minister's Office, consisting of senior figures from the National Police Agency, the Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, the Finance Ministry, the Justice Ministry, the Financial Services Agency and the Japan Coast Guard.

Subcommittee members will exchange information to improve immigration controls and clamp down on illegal exports to, and smuggling from, North Korea.

The Finance and Justice miniseries will boost staff numbers at immigration control and customs respectively to inspect North Korean officials and their belongings more thoroughly.

The Financial Service Agency will report to investigators financial transactions they consider suspicious, such as money laundering related to North Korea or possible cash transfers to terrorist organizations.



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