The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Kim Yo-jong, said that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida conveyed to the DPRK his intention to meet with its leader Kim Jong-un as soon as possible, the Central Telegraph Agency (KCNA) reports.
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Kim Yo Jong noted that Kishida had previously expressed interest in the possibility of holding a summit between the DPRK and Japan in parliament, and said that the Japanese side had conveyed this position to the DPRK.
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“Recently, Kishida again conveyed to us through another channel his intention to personally meet with the Chairman of the State Council of the DPRK (Kim Jong Un) as soon as possible,” Kim Yo Jong said.
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Japanese Government Secretary-General Yoshimasa Hayashi said in February that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had repeatedly spoken of his intention to hold high-level talks with the North Korean leader to resolve problems in bilateral relations, and also made it clear that efforts were being made to do so “on various channels,” but did not disclose details.
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Kim Yo Jong previously stated that if Japan abandons its “destructive” line towards the DPRK, the parties can hold a new summit in Pyongyang, and the future of bilateral relations depends on Tokyo’s determination. In particular, she stated that “if (Tokyo) makes a political decision to open a new (backup) exit to improve relations, then the two countries may well build a new future together.”
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Kim Yo Jong added that if Japan recognizes North Korea’s right to self-defense and does not raise the “already resolved” issue of abducted citizens, which is only an obstacle to the prospects of bilateral relations, then there is no reason why the two countries could not get closer, and The Japanese Prime Minister could come to Pyongyang.
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Kishida began stepping up efforts after Kim Jong Un sent him a telegram of condolences in January following the Jan. 1 earthquake that struck Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture. He expressed his “sincere sympathy and condolences” to Kishide and the families of the victims and injured, and also wished the residents of the affected area of Japan “immediate” relief from the consequences of the earthquake and the restoration of a “stable life.”
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Japanese Government Secretary-General Yoshimasa Hayashi said at the time that North Korean leaders had not conveyed condolences to Japan over the earthquakes in recent years.
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Since the 1970s, North Korean intelligence services have abducted, according to the Japanese side, at least 17 Japanese citizens. North Korea admitted only 13 facts. Five of the abducted were able to return to Japan following visits to the DPRK by former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in 2002. The remaining eight people, as the North Korean side assures, were killed. However, Japan considers the evidence presented to be inconclusive or false and continues to demand the extradition of all hostages. In particular, it turned out that the DNA of the remains presented as evidence did not match the DNA of the family members of the abducted. Japan also insists on investigating the fate of other Japanese who, for one reason or another, ended up in North Korea.
