Kim Yo Jong Rejects Takaichi Summit, Demands Japan Changes

0:00Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, ruled out a summit between her brother and Japanese prime minister, Sanae. Takaiichi, she said it won't happen unless Japan drops its outdated stance on key issues. This came right after Takaiichi shared her strong interest in such a meeting with US President Donald Trump last week. Takaiichi had hoped for US backing during their Washington talks, but Kim Yo-jong made it clear Japan needs to make big changes first. North Korea has long tied any progress to Japan, accepting its nuclear program and moving past old disputes, like citizen abductions from decades ago. Those abductions hit hard in Japan, with North Korea agents taking at least 13 people in the 1970s and 1980s. Back in 2002, North Korea admitted it and led five survivors return home after a summit with Japan's prime minister at the time. Another meeting followed in 2004, but talked stalled after that. North Korea is pushing for warmer ties with Japan to split US allies.

1:04Tokyo, meanwhile, demands full resolution on the missing citizens, some of whom Japan believes are still alive. With North Korea avoiding talks with the US and South Korea since 2019, summit hopes lived dim for now, even as Trump signals openness to. Restar dialogue, Canada News, today, powered by AI bringing you what matters.