The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday urged Japan to redress its "crime-ridden" past at an early date and implement the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration.

"For Japan to redress its past is the most urgent task for solving the DPRK-Japan bilateral issues and the prospect of the improved DPRK-Japan relations hinges upon this," said a commentary carried by the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Worker's Party of Korea.

The commentary, published Friday on the second anniversary of the signing of the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang Declaration, hailed the declaration as a "historical document in line with the interests of peoples of the DPRK and Japan in the new century."

"It put an end to the long-standing abnormal relations between the two countries," the article added.

"It is beyond doubt that the declaration should be implemented by both sides," the article said, adding that "the core issue is for Japan to settle its crime-ridden past at an early date."

The Japanese ultra-right forces, however, have impeded the implementation of the declaration, evading the compensation for the past and persistently maintaining its hostile stand toward the DPRK, the article added.

"What is essential for Japan is to have a proper stand and attitude toward the implementation of the declaration. The declaration can be successfully implemented when the DPRK and Japan properly understand the reality and the need of the times and exert concerted efforts," the article said.

Source: Xinhua