Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, recently made a statement regarding the possibility of improved relations between North Korea and Japan. According to Kim Yo Jong, there is no reason why the two countries cannot become closer if certain conditions are met. These conditions include Japan ending its “bad habit” of challenging North Korea’s legitimate right to self-defense and refraining from making the “abduction issue” a stumbling block in improving bilateral relations.
Abduction
The “abduction issue” refers to the abduction of at least 17 Japanese citizens by North Korea during the 1970s and 1980s. Although North Korea admitted to the abductions in 2002 and apologized, it has not accounted for the remaining abductees. This issue remains unresolved and has prevented the normalization of relations between the two countries.
Kim Yo Jong’s statement came six days after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed to “boldly change the status quo” regarding the abduction issue during a budget committee meeting of the House of Representatives on Feb. 9. Kim Yo Jong saw Kishida’s speech as positive but cautioned that North Korea must watch out for and discern Kishida’s “ulterior intentions” in the future.
Japan’s cabinet, aware of Kim Yo Jong’s statement, declined to comment further to avoid affecting future negotiations. The cabinet also refuted Kim Yo Jong’s claim that the abduction issue had already been resolved. Japan’s policy remains unchanged, aiming to resolve various issues, such as the abduction issue, nuclear weapons, and missiles, comprehensively based on the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration.
Mixed Reactions
The statement made by Kim Yo Jong has sparked a range of reactions from both North Korea and Japan. Some North Korean officials have praised Kim Yo Jong’s statement, emphasizing the need for improved relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, others have criticized Japan’s stance on the abduction issue and called for Japan to take a more proactive approach to resolving the matter.
In Japan, the statement has also received mixed reactions. While some have welcomed the possibility of improved relations with North Korea, others have expressed skepticism and caution. The Japanese government has emphasized the need for concrete actions from North Korea, including the full resolution of the abduction issue, before any significant progress can be made in bilateral relations.
Despite the mixed reactions, the statement made by Kim Yo Jong has opened up a new dialogue between North Korea and Japan. Some experts believe that this could be a positive step towards improving relations between the two countries, while others remain cautious and skeptical.
Moving forward, both North Korea and Japan will need to take concrete steps to address the issues that have hindered their relationship in the past. This will require a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and a commitment to finding mutually acceptable solutions.
In the meantime, the international community will be closely watching the developments between North Korea and Japan. The outcome of this dialogue could have significant implications for regional stability and security, as well as for the wider global community.