Japanese officials and lawmakers said Monday they see no impact on relations with North Korea because of the death of a close aide to Pyongyang leader Kim Jong Il who had been a key player in negotiations with Seoul and Tokyo.
North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency reported Monday that Kim Yong Sun died Sunday at age 69 after being treated at a hospital due to a traffic accident June 16.
The agency did not elaborate on the nature of the accident or the direct cause of death.