What is happening?
There is more that divides Tokyo and Pyongyang than unites them. In particular, Japan continues to raise the issue of the abducted Japanese nationals and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear and missile programs.
Amid these treacherous dynamics, North Korean media reported that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his willingness to organize a summit with the DPRK leader Kim Jong-un, which Kishida corroborated in the National Diet.
Kim Yo-jong, Kim Jong-un’s sister and the de facto Number Two in Pyongyang, also pressured Japan on its stance regarding the abduction issue. She stated that Tokyo should be ready to “make a new start” without “being obsessed by the past,” which shows North Korea’s firm stance on the abductees’ issue.
However, it is worth noting that a day after Kim Yo-jong’s statement, North Korea said it would not engage in any form of talks with Japan. This indicates a sudden change in North Korea’s attitude towards the possible summit, which points to the outstanding complexities and challenges in the relationship between Japan and North Korea.
What is the broader picture?
The North Korean abduction of Japanese citizens refers to the actions taken by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s to capture multiple Japanese citizens. The DPRK pursued these abductions to train spies, monitor Japanese intelligence, and assist North Koreans in learning the Japanese language and culture. At least 17 Japanese citizens were abducted from Japan and overseas during this period. North Korea admitted in 2002 to kidnapping 13 Japanese citizens decades earlier. Five abductees later returned to Japan, saying the others had died. This issue has long troubled the relationship between Japan and North Korea and has garnered considerable international attention.
Kim Yo-jong’s statement, which effectively called on Japan to give up its efforts to repatriate the abductees, highlights a critical wedge in the relationship between North Korea and Japan. The totalitarian leader’s sister pointed out that the abduction issue should not be used as a bargaining chip and pressured Japan as Tokyo sought to organize the summit.
This diplomatic dynamic also reflects the complexity of regional and international diplomatic policies. North Korea may be using this public statement to influence its foreign policy while also highlighting Japan’s position and attitude on this issue. This improvement could affect regional security and stability, especially regarding the Korean Peninsula issue. However, Kim Yo-jong’s firm stance also exposes the difficulties in dialogue between North Korea and Japan, which could affect the future development of their relationship. Japan’s Kishida appears to be equally obstinate. During a press conference on Thursday (March 28, 2024), he asserted, “I remain committed to realizing this [repatriation of abductees] for Japan,” while declining to explicitly respond to Kim Yo-jong’s suggesting that a summit would be possible only if Japan stops pressing the abductions issue.
Why does it matter?
Positive engagement and dialogue between North Korea and Japan could help improve regional stability, particularly on the Korean Peninsula. In the past, North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and external provocations have raised concerns regionally and internationally, with tensions between North Korea and Japan adding an extra level of instability to the region. However, with increased contact and dialogue between North Korea and Japan, the two sides may reach some consensus, thereby improving the region’s security posture.
From a humanitarian perspective, both sides should cooperate in addressing the abduction issue, which could improve relations between the two countries and bring justice and relief to the families of the victims.
The ongoing tensions surrounding a possible summit also highlight North Korea’s diplomatic strategy and attitude towards Japan, which could impact the future relationship between North Korea and Japan. Kim Yo-jong’s statements indicate that there may be some openness towards improving relations with Japan in North Korea, but it also underscores Pyongyang’s stubborn stance on the abduction issue. This will affect the future diplomatic policies and dialogue process between the two sides, potentially leading to a series of further diplomatic clashes.
In summary, these dynamics demonstrate the complexity and importance of North Korea’s and Japan’s changing relationship. Resolving the abduction issue and improving relations between the two sides remain challenging tasks, but such improvements could have a positive impact on regional and international stability and security.
