Jun 15 (NHK) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly said he was open to dialogue with Japan during Tuesday's summit in Singapore with US President Donald Trump.
A Japanese government source said on Thursday that Trump told Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Kim was open to dialogue with Japan. The source said Trump suggested to Abe that negotiations on the abduction issue should be pursued along with those on North Korea's denuclearization and that Japan should have a key role.
Trump spoke by phone with Abe on Tuesday night on his way home from the summit.
Abe told reporters that Trump had clearly conveyed Japan's stance on the abduction issue to the North Korean leader. Abe did not give details.
He emphasized that if a Japan-North Korea summit is held, it is crucial that the talks lead to a resolution of the abduction issue, along with the issues of North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga echoed Abe's comments when he spoke to reporters on Thursday.
He said the Japanese government is addressing the matter in various ways, and is determined to resolve the abduction issue through direct talks with Pyongyang, with President Trump's strong support.
Suga said nothing has been decided yet about a summit with North Korea. But he said he hopes to see a summit that would lead to resolving the issues of North Korea's nuclear arms and missiles, and above all, the abductions of Japanese nationals.
