Japan and North Korea on Friday emerged from talks on establishing diplomatic ties with sharply divergent views of what they agreed upon, with Tokyo dismissing claims it would compensate colonial abuses.

In a surprise move, the reclusive North's chief negotiator Jong Thae Hwa said Japan agreed to atone for its 35-year subjugation of the Korean Peninsula just hours after the two sides issued a joint closing statement that only said they would discuss the issue. Kojiro Takano, Japan's top negotiator, looked surprised at a subsequent news conference when reporters questioned him about Jong's remarks. He said no such agreement had been reached. A Foreign Ministry spokesman in Tokyo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Jong's statement was "puzzling." It was unclear what effect the comments would have on the future of the negotiations. There was no change in the agreement reached Friday to hold a second round of talks in late May in Tokyo. This week's negotiations to establish diplomatic ties were the first in eight years. The North has repeatedly frustrated negotiating partners with unexpected reversals of position that have earned it a reputation for brinkmanship. Negotiators were upbeat directly after the talks closed, saying the two sides had reached a deeper understanding of each others' positions. Although Japanese officials reported no breakthroughs, they expressed optimism because the countries had at least listened to demands that have long divided them.