WASHINGTON -- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated his determination to resolve the issue of North Korea's abduction of Japanese nationals through a face-to-face dialogue with the country's leader Kim Jong Un at a joint press conference after a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday.
Trump again promised that he would raise the issue at the U.S.-North Korea summit scheduled on Tuesday. If there is some concrete progress on problems of nuclear and missile programs, the abduction issue may possibly enter into a new phase.
"In order to resolve the abduction issue as early as possible, I would like to open up a direct dialogue with North Korea. I have a determination to make full use of every possible means," said Abe at the joint press conference.
During the press conference, he used the term "determination" five times. And he demonstrated intense motivation to achieve a breakthrough on the issue, saying, "As far as we are to have the summit meeting with North Korea, it is very important for the meeting to lead to resolution of all issues -- the nuclear, the missile, and what is more important, the abduction issue."
In the talks with Trump, Abe again called for cooperation on the abduction issue and also explained how he wants Trump to bring up the issue at the U.S.-North Korea summit.
According to Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura, Trump leaned forward as he listened to Abe's explanation, looking into his eyes and frequently nodding.
Abe aims at holding talks with Kim because the issue -- one unique to Japan -- is unlikely to be resolved otherwise. And Abe has another concern, that Japan might be excluded after the U.S.-North Korea summit causes a mood for dialogue to spread in international society.
At the joint press conference, Abe implied his intention of talking with Pyongyang, saying: "If North Korea is willing to take steps in the right direction, it can picture a bright future. Based on the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, we are prepared to settle the unfortunate past, to normalize our diplomatic relations and to provide economic cooperation [to North Korea]."
Abe didn't use the term "maximum pressure," indicating his consideration to the North.
Abe intends to fully consider the Japan-North Korea summit after hearing from Trump about Kim's responses at the U.S.-North Korea summit. Although Kim has indicated that he is thinking about a dialogue with Tokyo, Pyongyang has officially maintained a stance that the abduction issue has already been solved.
Therefore, even if a Japan-North Korea summit is realized, it remains unclear whether things will go as the Japanese side hopes.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
