Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will ask President Moon Jae In during their talks this week to provide support for Japanese nationals evacuating from South Korea in the event of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula, Japanese government sources said. The decision reflects Japan’s concern that escalating tensions on the
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will ask President Moon Jae In during their talks this week to provide support for Japanese nationals evacuating from South Korea in the event of a contingency on the Korean Peninsula, Japanese government sources said.
The decision reflects Japan’s concern that escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula could lead to a military clash between Washington and Pyongyang, possibly after South Korea’s Pyeongchang Olympics and Paralympics, according to the sources.
Although tensions have briefly eased in the run-up to the Olympics, speculation is growing within the Japanese government that North Korea could take action once the United States and South Korea resume their joint military drills, which they will suspend until the end of the Paralympics on March 18, according to the sources.
Abe is scheduled to pay a two-day visit to South Korea for talks with Moon on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Feb 9. But it is unclear how Moon may respond to Abe’s request.
