Unusual Approach from North Korea

Sister of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un unusually showed optimistic view on future relationship with Japan. Kim Yo Jong, the Deputy Director on Publicity and Information Department of Worker’s Party of Korea, expressed positive impression on the statement of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the Diet, which expected progress in bilateral relationship with North Korea. Recognizing a possibility that the statement from the North may an attempt to drive a wedge into trilateral ties of Japan, ROK and United States, Japanese government takes note on her message.

In the discussion at Committee on Budget of House of Representatives on February 9th, Kishida stated that he would make a bold progress in the status quo of abduction issue, in which Japan has not find any breakthrough for these years. He emphasized the importance of having a summit meeting with Kim Jong Un. “I am going to make necessary decision,” he said, “and we are practically working on it” said Kishida.

Kim Yo Jong welcomed Kishida’s approach six days later. “As a positive message, it cannot be devalued,” Yo Jong said in the Korean Central Broadcasting with a condition of not raising abduction issue, stressing that the issue had already been solved. She added that both parties would be able to develop new future, if Japan would make political decision, referring to a possibility for Kishida to visit Pyongyang. The statement was released as her personal comment, not representing official view of North Korea.

 

Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, Yoshimasa Hayashi, immediately responded to Yo Jong’s statement. Notifying the statement, Hayashi explained Kishida’s stance on the issue, in which Kishida had been hoping to promote high-level negotiation under his direct control. Hayashi revealed that the government of Japan had been keeping various channels with North Korea.

 

Hayashi protested Yo Jong’s recognition that the abduction issue had been solved, saying that he could not accept her argument totally. He also stressed that the Japanese government has been sharing the same recognition with United States on the dialogue between Japan and North Korea.

 

Kishida has been saying that he would unconditionally face Kim Jong Un. Kim Jong Un sent Kishida a telegram of condolence and sympathy for victims and sufferers of the great earthquake in Noto Peninsula earlier this year, which was highly unusual greeting of North Korean top leader to Japanese prime minister. There actually is a positive dialogue between Japan and North Korea.

 

South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been taking hard position against North Korea. Japan is mending the bilateral relationship with South Korea, which had been exacerbated in the era of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Moon Jae In. Welcoming Japan’s approach may work for North Korea to reduce the risk of being exposed to the pressure from South Korea and Japan, with leadership of US.

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