Japan’s Fumio Kishida ‘expresses willingness to meet Kim Jong Un’: North Korea

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister Kim Yo Jong said on Monday that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently expressed his intention to meet with the North Korean leader soon through “another channel,” state-run Korean Central News Agency reported.

However, she said improving relations would depend on Japan making pragmatic political decisions.

“The prime minister should know that just because he wants to and has made a decision does not mean that he or our country’s leadership can meet with him,” KCNA’s Korean-language report quoted Kim Yo Jong as saying.

“What is clear is that when Japan confronts the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and violates its sovereignty, it will be considered our enemy and will be part of the target,” she added.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the official name of North Korea.

Kishida said he hoped to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “without any preconditions” and personally oversee efforts to achieve the first such leaders’ summit in 20 years.

Kim Jong Un’s sister, who serves in the ruling Workers’ Party, said last month that Kishida might one day visit Pyongyang.

“If Japan… makes a political decision to open up a new path to improve relations based on mutual respect and respectful behavior, I think the two countries can open up a new future,” KCNA quoted her as saying.