Two further people arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to Woodwich murder
In the second half of the year, dialogue between Tokyo and Pyongyang, which have no formal diplomatic relations, was noticeably activated. In August, Beijing hosted the first in a long time intergovernmental consultations, with their second round taking place in Ulan Bator in November.
Both sides at the time spoke of a “meaningful exchange of views”. However, after Pyongyang’s missile launch on December 12, all negotiations between the two countries were suspended, with Japan even advocating imposition of additional sanctions against North Korea.
Dialogue between Seoul and Pyongyang was also suspended. The launch sparked a negative response on the part of the international community, which considers it a direct violation of two UN Security Council resolutions.
Pyongyang, in turn, insists on its right to use of outer space "for peaceful purposes”.
Voice of Russia, TASS
