Japanese Prime Minister: "Korea-US-Japan Must Cooperate and Communicate on North Korea Response"

Suggests Discussion on North Korea's Denuclearization and Regime Guarantees

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on the 17th, "We must promote cooperation and communication among the three countries (South Korea, the United States, and Japan) on how to reconcile North Korea's complete denuclearization with the regime guarantees they demand."

Prime Minister Ishiba made this remark during the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the same day in response to a question stating, "There are issues raised regarding the significance of the South Korea-US-Japan alliance system amid views that US President Donald Trump prioritizes bilateral deals with North Korea." He emphasized regarding North Korea, "Maintaining the regime is the country's core interest," and added, "We must seriously consider how to separate this from nuclear possession."

Shigeru Ishiba, Prime Minister of Japan. Photo by Yonhap News

In response to another similar question, Prime Minister Ishiba explained, "If you look at the examples of Libya and Iraq, he (North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un) must know what happened to the dictators who gave up their nuclear weapons," and said, "We want to discuss fundamental issues such as what regime guarantees mean and work toward resolving the problem." Earlier, Prime Minister Ishiba and President Trump agreed to pursue North Korea's complete denuclearization during their first summit on the 7th (local time).

Prime Minister Ishiba also expressed his intention to strive for a meeting between President Trump and the families of Japanese abductees by North Korea when Trump visits Japan. Regarding related questions, he mentioned, "President Trump has hinted at future contact with Chairman Kim," and "The issue (of abductees) was also raised during the last US-Japan summit." He added, "He also made remarks that seemed to show he clearly remembers meeting with the families of abductees."

Regarding the death of Akihiro Arimoto, a family member of the abductees, who passed away on the 15th at the age of 96, Prime Minister Ishiba said, "It is very regrettable," and added, "The conversation we had a few months ago still strongly remains in my mind." He also stated, "The return of abductees must be realized as soon as possible using all means," emphasizing that resolving this issue is the top priority of the Ishiba Cabinet.