SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, declared Pyongyang’s rejection of “any contact or negotiations” with Japan, following Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s reported request for a summit with her brother.
Kim Yo Jong’s statement, conveyed through the Korean Central News Agency, underscored North Korea’s stance on refusing dialogue with Japan, citing historical tensions and unresolved issues including the abduction dispute and North Korea’s weapons programs.
Despite Prime Minister Kishida’s expressed willingness to meet Kim Jong Un without preconditions, Kim Yo Jong reiterated North Korea’s position that substantive policy changes from Tokyo are necessary for any improvement in bilateral relations.
While Kishida emphasized the importance of top-level talks for resolving issues like the abduction problem, Kim Yo Jong cautioned that Japan’s focus on past grievances could hinder progress in diplomatic relations.
The exchange highlights the ongoing diplomatic challenges between North Korea and Japan, with Pyongyang maintaining a firm stance against engagement without perceived policy shifts from Tokyo.
