20 years since last summit, North Korea-Japan ties still vexed by same concerns



Features 20 years since last summit, North Korea-Japan ties still vexed by same concerns Abductee issue has been insurmountable since Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il met, but hopes persist for third summit Justin Yeo May 23, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il at their second summit in Pyongyang on May 22, 2004 \| Image: Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited North Korea for the second time and held a summit meeting with then Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jong Il on May 22, 2004 \| Image: Japanese Prime Minister’s official residence homepage via Wikimedia Commons, edited by NK News This week marks the 20th anniversary of a pivotal moment in Tokyo-Pyongyang ties — the second meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang. And even two decades after the summit, their failure to resolve the issue of the DPRK’s past kidnapping of Japanese nationals casts a long shadow over their relationship, standing as the last time that the two sides appeared close to establishing formal ties. This week marks the 20th anniversary of a pivotal moment in Tokyo-Pyongyang ties — the second meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang. And even two decades after the summit, their failure to resolve the issue of the DPRK’s past kidnapping of Japanese nationals casts a long shadow over their relationship, standing as the last time that the two sides appeared close to establishing formal ties. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Features

20 years since last summit, North Korea-Japan ties still vexed by same concerns

Abductee issue has been insurmountable since Junichiro Koizumi and Kim Jong Il met, but hopes persist for third summit

Justin Yeo May 23, 2024

20 years since last summit, North Korea-Japan ties still vexed by same concerns

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il at their second summit in Pyongyang on May 22, 2004 | Image: Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited North Korea for the second time and held a summit meeting with then Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jong Il on May 22, 2004 | Image: Japanese Prime Minister’s official residence homepage via Wikimedia Commons, edited by NK News

This week marks the 20th anniversary of a pivotal moment in Tokyo-Pyongyang ties — the second meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang.

And even two decades after the summit, their failure to resolve the issue of the DPRK’s past kidnapping of Japanese nationals casts a long shadow over their relationship, standing as the last time that the two sides appeared close to establishing formal ties.

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting

Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.

Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.

20 years since last summit, North Korea-Japan ties still vexed by same concerns

Become a member for less than $5.75 per week.

Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by

One more step!

Trending

Recent Stories

About the Author

Justin Yeo

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –