North Korea Demands Japan Lift Sanctions

North Korea is demanding that Tokyo immediately lift sanctions imposed on
Pyongyang in response to its test launch of missiles. North Korean envoy
to Japan Song Il Ho says his country will retaliate with stronger measures
if the sanctions are not lifted.

After North Korea's test-fired seven missiles on Wednesday, Tokyo barred
a North Korean ferry from Japanese ports for six months and banned North
Korean officials from entering the country. South Korea Friday rejected
Pyongyang's request for military talks, saying they were inappropriate at
this time. But it said ministerial talks will go ahead as scheduled next
week. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill is in Asia to
discuss a unified strategy in confronting North Korea. He traveled from Beijing
to Seoul Friday and will meet with South Korean officials on Saturday. He
is also to go to Japan.

The U.N. Security Council is considering a proposal by Japan that would
prevent the transfer of funds, technology and goods that would benefit
North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

*北韩要求日本取消制裁

北韩要求日本立即取消日本因为北韩试射导弹而对其实施的制裁。北韩与日本邦
交正常化的谈判特使宋日昊说，如果制裁不取消，北韩就要采取更强硬的措施予
以报复。

北韩星期三试射7枚导弹后，日本宣布，半年内不许一艘北韩渡船进入日本港口，
并禁止北韩官员进入日本。韩国星期五拒绝了北韩提出的军事会谈的要求，称目
前不合时宜。不过韩国表示，双方部长级会谈下星期将按原计划举行。美国国务
院助理国务卿希尔正在亚洲访问，商讨对付北韩的一致策略。他星期五晚些时候
前往首尔韩国官员会谈。希尔还将访问日本。

联合国安理会正在考虑日本提出的一项提案。提案要求防止向北韩转送可能有助
于北韩导弹与核项目的资金、技术和产品。