When asked about the possibility of holding a Japan-North Korea summit between Prime Minister Kishida and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a senior US White House official responded that he would support Japan if it wishes to hold dialogue with North Korea. I have expressed my intention to do so.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean General Secretary Kim Jong Un, said on the night of the 15th, ``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."
In connection with this, on the 15th, Rapp Hooper, the senior director in charge of East Asia and Oceania at the National Security Council (NSC) in the White House, spoke from the venue of a think tank event about the summit meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and General Secretary Kim. I was asked about the possibility.
In response, Senior Vice President Rapp Hooper expressed his support for this, saying, ``If there is a desire for dialogue with North Korea and there is a reason for dialogue, I support that and we will work together.''
Separately, Jun Park, the US State Department's acting special representative for North Korea, told reporters on the 15th, ``We support all forms of diplomacy and dialogue with North Korea. I very strongly support Japan's efforts."
On the other hand, when asked about the possibility of dialogue between Japan and North Korea, he replied, ``Let's see what happens.North Korea has made it clear that it has no interest in dialogue and diplomacy with any country other than Russia and China.'' "We have been doing so," he said.
The Biden administration in the United States has consistently called for unconditional dialogue with North Korea, but North Korea continues to refuse to respond.