Abe to visit US. in April for talks with Trump on N. Korea

March 9, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump on Friday agreed to discuss North Korean issues next month, as the president is seen meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by May.

In telephone talks, Abe and Trump confirmed that the Japanese leader will visit the United States in early April at the earliest.

Abe told reporters that North Korea has offered to hold summit talks with the United States, showing its commitment to denuclearization.

"I welcome this change shown by North Korea," Abe stressed.

During the 30-minute phone conversation, Trump told Abe that he is ready to meet with Kim, while closely watching further developments.

North Korea's latest move "has resulted from the cooperation between Japan and the United States in maximizing pressure on the country together with the international community," Abe said.

"It is necessary for North Korea to take concrete actions toward its denuclearization in a fully verifiable and irreversible manner," the prime minister told Trump.

Abe and Trump confirmed the policy of maintaining maximum pressure on North Korea until Pyongyang actually takes specific actions toward the abandonment of its nuclear and missile development programs.

Trump said it is natural to continue sanctions and military pressure on North Korea.

Abe sought US support to resolve the issue of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents. Trump said he understands Japan's position well.

Abe told reporters that Japan and the United States have been and will be 100 pct together. Jiji Press