North Korea says Japanese PM may visit Pyongyang

Senior North Korean official and leader Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, said on February 15 that there are no obstacles to promoting closer ties with Japan and that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida could visit Pyongyang.

Kim Yo-jong's statement came after the Japanese Prime Minister said he was looking for an opportunity to meet the North Korean leader to resolve the issue of Japanese citizens abducted in the 1970s and 1980s.

Ms. Kim Yo-jong affirmed that the Japanese leader's comments could be considered positive, if it was aimed at promoting relations.

In Kim Yo-jong's personal opinion, this could open up a new future in the relationship between the two countries. However, North Korea currently has no specific plans regarding its relationship with Japan.

Responding to the statement by the North Korean official, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that Japan acknowledged the statement and believed that issues such as the abduction of Japanese citizens, North Korea's nuclear and missile programs needed to be resolved comprehensively.

The US has also voiced support for any diplomatic solution with the North Korean government, including efforts by Japan.

Dinh Nam (VOV1/Reuters)