Abe backs Trump over no deal with DPRK, wants to meet Kim

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00:24

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Thursday that he fully backed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to end his summit with leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un without an agreement.

"I fully support President Trump's decision not to make the easy choice," Abe said following a telephone call with Trump.

"I am determined that I must meet Chairman Kim next," he added, reiterating his desire to have a summit with the DPRK leader.

Abe said Trump, at his meeting with Kim in Vietnam, had raised the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by DPRK agents.

Abe has said Japan would not normalize diplomatic ties with Pyongyang or provide economic assistance until the DPRK gave a full accounting of all those taken and return any abductees who are still alive.

Abe has expressed his willingness to resolve the decades-old abduction issue via dialogues with the DPRK. He has also asked Trump and President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in to raise the matter during their respective meetings with Kim.

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Source(s): Reuters