Abe Expresses Readiness to Meet Kim Jong Un

June 18, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his readiness on Saturday to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a bid to resolve the issue of Japanese nationals kidnapped by Pyongyang.

The abduction issue "will be resolved when all victims return to Japan," Abe said on television. Kim needs to make a big decision, he said.

"I need to hold a summit meeting with Kim Jong Un eventually. I hope to reach a solution by breaking the shell of mutual distrust," Abe said.

He said Japan will shoulder the cost of inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency necessary for North Korea's denuclearization.

"It is natural that Japan shoulders the expense as the country stands to benefit from peace achieved through the removal of the nuclear threat," the prime minister said.

"It's not that we provide (funds) for North Korea," Abe said, explaining that Japan would offer funding through an international framework for the denuclearization.

Japan will not give North Korea financial support unless the abduction issue is resolved, he said.

He said a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend joint military exercises with South Korea came as part of efforts to build confidence between the United States and North Korea. Jiji Press