Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed a desire to organize a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to an announcement from Pyongyang on Monday. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, stated through the Korean Central News Agency that the potential for improving North Korea-Japan relations hinges on Tokyo’s political choices.
Kishida confirmed to parliament his administration’s efforts to arrange a meeting with Kim, as reported by the Tokyo-based Kyodo News Agency, emphasizing the significance of such discussions in addressing the issue of Japanese nationals purportedly kidnapped by North Korea.
Kim Yo Jong suggested in February that Kishida’s trip to Pyongyang could proceed if Japan does not let historical abduction cases hinder the relationship. North Korea’s acknowledgment in 2002 of the abduction of 13 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to train spies has continued to stir emotions in Japan. Despite a historic visit by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to Pyongyang in 2002, which led to the return of five abductees, subsequent negotiations faltered amid accusations from Tokyo of North Korea’s lack of transparency regarding the abductees.–Web Desk