The government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will "reject any contact and negotiations with Japan" over the prospect of a summit between the two countries, a senior DPRK official said Tuesday, just one day after she urged the neighboring country to make a political decision for the improvement of bilateral ties. The DPRK-Japan summit is "not a matter of concern" as "Japan has no courage to change history, promote regional peace and stability and take the first step for the fresh DPRK-Japan relations," Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea said in the second press statement in two days carried by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Kim said Japan had clarified its stance through a press conference of its Chief Cabinet Secretary on Monday that it can never accept the fact that the abduction issue was settled. She also complained that the Japanese raised the issue of the DPRK nuclear and missile programs, saying it has nothing to do with Japan, and accused the country of "trying to interfere in and take issue with the exercise of sovereignty concerning the DPRK's legitimate self-defense. Stating the DPRK government has clearly understood once again the attitude of Japan, the DPRK senior official said "the DPRK side will pay no attention to and reject any contact and negotiations with the Japanese side." Kim said in a statement issued by the KCNA on Monday that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently conveyed his intention to meet Kim Jong Un in person as soon as possible. Regarding the possibility of a top meeting, Kim urged the neighboring country to make a political decision for strategic option that conformed to its overall interests in a show of its true intention to improve bilateral relations. |
China unveils plan on equipment renewal, trading16 black bear cubs rescued in Lao capitalWhite House approved more bombs to Israel on day of deadly Israeli attack on aid workers: WAPOChina denounces EU's pretext for antiRaymond scores late in 3rd and OT to keep Red Wings playoffs alive with 5Capitals beat the Bruins 2Artemi Panarin scores 49th goal as Rangers beat Senators 4Meet Donald Trump's glamorous rightHKSAR LegCo unanimously passes milestone bill to better safeguard national securityRockies lefty Freeland appears to injure right shoulder while pinch