Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi intends to normalize diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) during his term, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported Wednesday.  

The premier will convey his intention to DPRK leader Kim Jong-il during his one-day visit to Pyongyang Saturday, the paper said, quoting government sources.

However, the premise of the normalization is that the Japanese abduction issue and the nuclear problem should be solved, the sources said.

Koizumi can remain as prime minister until his term of the ruling party leader expires in September 2006.

The Japanese government plans to resume the suspended negotiations in mid-June on normalizing the relationship if the eight family members of five former abductees are allowed to come to Japan, the paper said.

This will be Koizumi's second visit to Pyongyang. In his historic visit to Pyongyang in September 2002, the two countries signed the Pyongyang Declaration.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2004)