What's happened
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida seeks a summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, but North Korea rejects any future contact or negotiations with Japan, citing unresolved issues. Kim Yo Jong hints at a possible summit, contingent on Japan's policy shift.
Why it matters
The strained relations between Japan and North Korea over the abduction issue highlight the challenges in diplomatic efforts to address historical grievances and promote regional stability. The rejection of talks by North Korea underscores the complexities and obstacles in resolving long-standing disputes.
What the papers say
The Japan Times reports on Prime Minister Kishida's request for a summit with Kim Jong Un, while The Independent and South China Morning Post cover North Korea's rejection of negotiations with Japan. The contrasting perspectives highlight the divergent views on the potential for diplomatic engagement.
How we got here
The abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea in the 1970s and 80s has been a longstanding issue between the two countries, with Japan seeking the return of its citizens. Previous attempts at summits between leaders have aimed to address this and other bilateral concerns.
Common question
-
Why did Kim Jong Un inspect a tank unit amid rising tensions with South Korea?
Amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Kim Jong Un's inspection of a tank unit raises questions about North Korea's military preparedness and intentions. Let's delve into the reasons behind this provocative action and its implications for regional security.
-
What Military Exercises Has Kim Jong Un Been Overseeing?
Amidst escalating tensions with South Korea and the US, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been actively involved in overseeing military exercises, including tank drills and missile launches. These demonstrations of military prowess have raised concerns and questions about the motives behind North Korea's actions.
-
Why are Japan-North Korea relations strained over the abduction issue?
The strained relations between Japan and North Korea over the abduction issue have raised significant concerns. Understanding the root causes and current dynamics can shed light on the complexities of this longstanding diplomatic challenge.
More on these topics
-
Fumio Kishida is a Japanese politician and the former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan from 2012 to 2017. He is a member of the House of Representatives and the Liberal Democratic Party.
-
Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
-
North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia constituting the northern part of the Korean Peninsula.
-
Kim Yo-jong is a North Korean politician serving as the first vice director of the United Front Department of the Workers' Party of Korea.
-
Kim Jong-un is a North Korean politician who has been the supreme leader of North Korea since 2011 and chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012.
-
Pyongyang is the capital and largest city of North Korea. Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River about 109 kilometers upstream from its mouth on the Yellow Sea. According to the 2008 population census, it has a population of 3,255,288. Pyongyang is a d
-
The Korean Central News Agency is the state news agency of North Korea. The agency portrays the views of the North Korean government for both domestic and foreign consumption. It was established on December 5, 1946 and now features internet coverage.
-
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.