Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said, ``If the abduction issue, which has already been resolved, does not become an obstacle to relations between the two countries, I would like to see Prime Minister Kishida visit Pyongyang on the day he visits Pyongyang.'' He issued an unusual statement saying, "There may be a future."
She said, ``We should keep a closer eye on Prime Minister Kishida's true intentions,'' indicating her stance of determining how the Japanese side will proceed in the future.
Regarding the abduction issue by North Korea, Prime Minister Kishida stated at the House of Representatives Budget Committee of the Diet on February 9, ``Now is the time to boldly change the status quo. I want to do my best to lead to this."
Regarding this, Kim Yo Jong, sister of General Secretary Kim Jong Un, issued a statement on the night of the 15th through the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
In her statement, she pointed out, ``If the abduction issue, which has already been resolved, is not an obstacle to bilateral relations, there is no reason why the two countries cannot get closer, and the day may come when the prime minister visits Pyongyang.'' .
However, she added: ``To date, it is my understanding that our country's leadership has no plans to improve relations with Japan and has no interest in making contact.''
On the other hand, the statement also leaves behind some implications, saying, ``We should keep an eye on Prime Minister Kishida's true intentions a little more,'' indicating that Japan will assess the future direction of the Japanese side.
Kim Yo Jong, who often sends out messages based on Kim's wishes, has said of the recent statement, "It is my personal opinion and I am not in a position to officially evaluate North Korea-Japan relations." It is extremely unusual to publish a discourse on relationships.