North Korea says Japan’s PM offered to meet Kim Jong Un

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un’s sister reveals Japanese prime minister’s request for a summit, citing policy shift necessity

North Korea confirmed on Monday that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed willingness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “as soon as possible,” although the prospects for the first summit in approximately two decades hinge on Japan’s stance on North Korea’s weapons program and past abductions of Japanese citizens.

Kishida emphasized the importance of such a meeting in addressing the abduction issue, a long-standing hurdle in bilateral relations, stating in a parliamentary session that his government has been actively pursuing avenues for the summit.

However, she said that any improvement in relations between North Korea and Japan hinges on Japan’s handling of the abduction issue. Additionally, North Korea demands Japan refrain from interfering in its “exercise of sovereign rights,” a clear reference to its missile and nuclear tests.

Kim Yo Jong emphasized the historical complexities in North Korea-Japan relations, cautioning that distrust and misunderstanding cannot be resolved solely through summit talks. She urged Japan to make political decisions aligned with its broader interests if it genuinely seeks to improve bilateral ties and regional stability.

In February, Kim Yo Jong had extended a similar olive branch to Japan, suggesting potential improvements in relations contingent upon Japan’s abandonment of objections to North Korea’s defense rights and the abduction issue.

North Korea’s continued development of nuclear and missile capabilities remains a significant security concern for Japan, South Korea, and the United States, prompting increased trilateral military exercises since 2022. Both Japan and South Korea host a considerable number of U.S. troops as part of their alliance.

The absence of diplomatic ties between North Korea and Japan, compounded by historical grievances stemming from Japan’s colonial past and North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, has hindered bilateral relations. The issue of Japan’s colonization of the Korean Peninsula also fuels tensions between Tokyo and Seoul.

The last summit between the leaders of North Korea and Japan occurred in 2004, following North Korea’s acknowledgment of abducting Japanese citizens for espionage purposes. A planned World Cup qualifier between the two countries was recently canceled, raising concerns about heightened tensions amidst an election year in the United States and South Korea.

In a separate development on Monday, North Korean state media reported Kim Jong Un’s supervision of a tank exercise, emphasizing preparedness amid growing tensions with South Korea.

While analysts doubt immediate war preparations, South Korean officials remain vigilant, citing potential border provocations.

Source: Newsroom

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