Japan wants to see resolution to abduction issue from talks with DPRK

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday that Japan wanted to see a resolution to the issue of past abductions of Japanese citizens by agents from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) from prospective talks with Pyongyang.

Abe welcomed planned talks with DPRK for denuclearization when meeting the Republic of Korea (ROK)’s National Intelligence Service Chief Suh Hoon over the issue, Yonhap reported.

Abe maintained that the DPRK must match its words with actions.

US President Donald Trump has agreed to meet DPRK leader Kim Jong Un by the end of May, while preparations are underway for ROK President Moon Jae-in to hold a summit with Kim by the end of April.

The abduction issue has been a sticking point in ties between Tokyo and Pyongyang.

The Japanese government has long maintained that the DPRK abducted a number of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s. Pyongyang acknowledged in 2002 that it had taken away 13 Japanese nationals in the period, without giving an explanation over their fate.

Inter-government talks between the two sides over the issue have faltered in the past.

(REUTERS)