TOKYO • North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho sounded out Japanese counterpart Taro Kono about a possible dialogue between their countries during a short conversation that both had on Aug 6 in Manila, government sources said..
TOKYO • North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho sounded out Japanese counterpart Taro Kono about a possible dialogue between their countries during a short conversation that both had on Aug 6 in Manila, government sources said.
The aim of Mr Ri’s suggestion was believed to be to rattle Japan by hinting that there is room for negotiation, as Japan, the United States and other countries are stepping up international pressure on North Korea to stop nuclear and missile development by the administration of leader Kim Jong Un, according to The Japan News.
Mr Kono had a brief exchange with Mr Ri on the evening of Aug 6 at the venue for a dinner party for foreign ministers attending the Asean forum.
During the conversation, Mr Kono told Mr Ri that his country should take concrete action to comprehensively resolve the nuclear and missile development issue as well as the issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea, based on the 2002 Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, The Japan News reported.
In response, Mr Ri expressed North Korea’s desire to hold a dialogue, the sources said.
