To Keep Pressure on N. Korea: Kono

May 27, 2018

Yamagata- Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono reiterated Sunday that the international community will keep putting maximum pressure on North Korea.

Commenting in Yamagata, northeastern Japan, on Friday's abrupt inter-Korean summit, Kono told reporters that "nothing will change" until North Korea's denuclearization.

In a speech here earlier on Sunday, Kono said whether the U.S.-North Korea summit will be held "depends on North Korea."

Kono offered the view that Pyongyang may not have completely destroyed its nuclear test facility.

Although North Korea blasted tunnels of the facility before foreign journalists, no experts were invited, Kono pointed out.

Chances cannot be ruled out that only tunnel portals were destroyed so the tunnels can be used again, he said.

On the first meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on April 27, Kono revealed that Moon told Kim that Japan would provide economic assistance to the North following the resolution of the abduction, missile and nuclear issues and diplomatic normalization.

In reply, the North Korean leader said "understood," according to Kono. Jiji Press