SEOUL: The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said that there is no obstacle to closer relations with Japan and that there may come a day Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits her country, official news agency KCNA reported on Thursday.
Kishida, whose country has no formal diplomatic relations with North Korea, has said he was exploring possibilities to meet Fumio Kishida to address the matter of Japanese citizens kidnapped in the 1970s and 1980s. Kim Yo Jong said Kishida’s remarks could be considered positive if they were meant to advance ties.
Japan-South Korea Ties
KCNA cited Kim Yo Jong as saying that if Japan … makes a political decision to open a new wat for improving relations based on mutual respect and respectful behaviour, it is her view that the two nations can open a new future.
Tokyo has been critical of Pyongyang’s pursuit of ballistic missiles and nuclear arms, often drawing harsh rebukes from N Korea, especially as Japan has stepped up its security alliance with Seoul and Washington.
Chief cabinet secretary and top government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the government of Japan noted her remarks but is refraining from commenting, including how Japan sees them.
Japan cannot accept N Korea’s stance that the abduction issue has been addressed, Hayashi said.
