How to interpret North Korea’s abrupt about-face on diplomacy with Japan



Analysis How to interpret North Korea’s abrupt about-face on diplomacy with Japan DPRK’s public rejection of talks may be a play for leverage, with Tokyo well-positioned to serve as intermediary to US Sangsoo Lee April 11, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A collage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) \| Images: KCNA (March 7, 2024), Image: NATO HQ PHOTO via Flickr (Jan. 13, 2023), edited by NK Pro North Korea recently poured cold water on widespread speculation that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio will visit Pyongyang for a summit with Kim Jong Un, criticizing Tokyo’s emphasis on the abduction issue. But a closer examination suggests it’s too early to completely rule out the possibility of a meeting between the two adversaries, with Japan still well-positioned to play a role in diplomacy with the DPRK. Kishida made a sudden push for high-level negotiations with North Korea in May 2023, and optimism for a summit initially surged following a positive statement from the DPRK leader Read More © 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. LATEST ANALYSIS 01In 2024, Kim Jong Un swaggered on the global stage like never before 02Military dominates Kim Jong Un’s attention in his busiest year in nearly decade 03How Trump’s return could transform North Korea’s quiet ties with Thailand 04How Assad’s downfall could expose secrets of North Korea-Syria military ties 05All the companies that participated in the Pyongyang Autumn Trade Fair 2024 06No Chinese firms joined North Korea’s latest trade fair dominated by Russia 07What defectors’ exam scores reveal about the quality of North Korean health care 08North Korean Il-76 cargo planes make rare flights to northeast coast

Analysis

How to interpret North Korea’s abrupt about-face on diplomacy with Japan

DPRK’s public rejection of talks may be a play for leverage, with Tokyo well-positioned to serve as intermediary to US

Sangsoo Lee April 11, 2024

How to interpret North Korea’s abrupt about-face on diplomacy with Japan

A collage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) | Images: KCNA (March 7, 2024), Image: NATO HQ PHOTO via Flickr (Jan. 13, 2023), edited by NK Pro

North Korea recently poured cold water on widespread speculation that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio will visit Pyongyang for a summit with Kim Jong Un, criticizing Tokyo’s emphasis on the abduction issue.

But a closer examination suggests it’s too early to completely rule out the possibility of a meeting between the two adversaries, with Japan still well-positioned to play a role in diplomacy with the DPRK.

Kishida made a sudden push for high-level negotiations with North Korea in May 2023, and optimism for a summit initially surged following a positive statement from the DPRK leader

How to interpret North Korea’s abrupt about-face on diplomacy with Japan

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Sangsoo Lee