Japan Views Pyongyang Declaration as Progress toward Denuclearization

September 20, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese government views Wednesday's signing of a joint declaration by North and South Korean leaders as progress toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, sources familiar with the situation said.

Japan hopes that the declaration inked by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will lead to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference in Tokyo.

"The efforts of the two leaders deserve respect," Suga said.

"What is important is the complete and prompt implementation of the U.S.-North Korea agreement," he added, referring to an agreement reached between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim in their historic summit in June.

Japan will work closely with the United States and South Korea to coordinate policies on North Korea, Suga said.

The Pyongyang joint declaration said North Korea is ready to dismantle its main Yongbyon nuclear complex permanently if the United States takes reciprocal action.

In addition, the declaration committed North Korea into permanently dismantling missile facilities in Tongchang-ri in the presence of foreign experts.

"On the whole, we must evaluate efforts by South Korea favorably," a senior official of the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

When asked whether issues related to Japan, including North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens, were discussed at the latest meetings between Moon and Kim, Suga said Tokyo has received various information but did not elaborate. Jiji Press