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Japan Analyses Comments From North Korean Leader's Sister On Potential Summit

NORTH KOREA

Japan said it was "paying attention" to comments from North Korean leader's influential sister Kim Yo-jong, who unexpectedly floated the idea of a detente with Tokyo, which could involve a state visit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Pyongyang, provided that certain conditions are met.

  • Kim Jong-un's younger sister, who has become a prominent public figure in the past few years, suggested that North Korea could invite Kishida for a summit if he agrees not to raise the issue of abducted Japanese citizens, which has been one of the crucial specific sticking points in bilateral relations.
  • Kim Yo-jong noted that this was just her "personal view" and did not reflect the DPRK's official diplomatic stance, adding that "our state leadership (...) still has no interest in contact." However, given her position within the North Korean political system, the remarks should be read as reflective of the official line.
  • Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi declined to elaborate on these comments, but said that Tokyo is "paying attention" to them. However, he called Kim's remarks on the abduction issue "unacceptable" and pledged to continue to try and resolve this and other issues, including the North Korean missile programme.
  • Earlier this year, Kim Jong-un sent a rare message of sympathy to Kishida related to a deadly earthquake that hit Japan, while the Japanese PM told parliament that he would like to hold a summit with the North Korean leader, supposedly hoping that any diplomatic achievement could help boost his record-low approval ratings.
  • Meanwhile, North Korea's rhetoric towards Seoul has become increasingly combative, with Pyongyang formally abandoning efforts towards unification. JoongAng suggested that the North's asymmetric messaging towards its regional peers might represent an attempt to drive a wedge between South Korea and Japan.

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