Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has indicated a potential thaw in relations with Japan, suggesting there may come a day when Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida could visit Pyongyang. This statement, reported by the state news agency KCNA, marks a significant departure from the historically strained ties between the two nations, which have no formal diplomatic relations.
Prime Minister Kishida has openly expressed his intention to explore avenues for meeting with North Korea’s leader, particularly to address the longstanding issue of Japanese civilians abducted by Pyongyang in the 1970s and 1980s. Kim Yo Jong’s response to these overtures is notably positive, indicating an openness to dialogue and improvement of bilateral ties, provided Japan commits to “mutual respect and respectful behaviour.”
Her comments come amidst a backdrop of increasing tension in the region, with Japan often criticizing North Korea’s ballistic missile and nuclear ambitions. These criticisms have frequently resulted in sharp responses from Pyongyang, especially as Japan enhances its security cooperation with South Korea and the United States.
However, Kim Yo Jong has clarified that her statements reflect personal observations rather than any official policy direction from North Korea’s leadership, which has yet to outline specific plans regarding its relationship with Japan.
