Japan continuing to explore possible summit with North Korea

March 30, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese government is continuing to explore the possibility of arranging a summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, amid a recent wave of apparently positive developments surrounding the reclusive country.

The government seems to be concerned that only Japan could be left behind, after the first North Korea-China summit in about seven years took place on Monday, between Kim and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and as a meeting between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been set for April 27. In addition, a meeting between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump may be realized by the end of May.

"We are contacting North Korea on various occasions and through various means," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference on Thursday, in response to a media report that Tokyo, through the pro-Pyiongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, or Chongryon, has sounded out North Korea about holding a bilateral summit with Japan. Jiji Press