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Kim Yo-jong Rejects Japan Summit Bid, Demands Tokyo Drop 'Anachronistic' Practices

North Korea's preconditions over the abductions issue leave a leader meeting unlikely.

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This file photo, captured from the homepage of North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency on Aug. 11, 2022, shows Kim Yo-jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister and vice department director of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee, making a speech to the effect that the coronavirus had been introduced into North Korea via South Korea during a national meeting on anti-epidemic measures held in Pyongyang the previous day. The North declared victory in its fight against COVID-19 at the meeting. (For Use Only in the Republic of Korea. No Redistribution) (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Kim Yo-jong said Monday in a state media statement that a summit with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will not happen unless Japan abandons what she called its “anachronistic” practices.
  • She indicated Pyongyang will not hold talks if Tokyo presses to resolve the abductions of Japanese citizens from the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Takaichi has been seeking direct contact and told U.S. President Donald Trump last week that she has a very strong desire to meet Kim Jong-un.
  • Japan says it has been approaching North Korea through various channels since Takaichi took office in late October.
  • Japan officially lists 17 abduction cases, five returned in 2002 after Junichiro Koizumi’s visit, and North Korea maintains the issue is settled with no further progress since.