Abe at the White House: Trump meets Japan's PM ahead of Singapore summit

World
Europe

02:25

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is at the White House and has met with US President Donald Trump. Abe is in Washington to be "talking strategy" with Trump. Their meeting comes just days before the highly anticipated Singapore summit between DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and Trump. CGTN White House correspondent Jessica Stone has the story on some of Abe's main concerns.

Japan's Prime Minister - making a brief stop at the West Wing, Thursday - to make sure he and his key ally share the same strategy for talks with DPRK leader, Kim Jong Un.

SHINZO ABE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER "I would like to take this opportunity to make sure that we two have the utmost policy coordination as to our approach to the planned summit meeting."

Shinzo Abe - telling Donald Trump that Tokyo needs a promise from Pyongyang to abandon development of short and long-range missiles - as well as its nuclear weapons. Abe said Japan also wants the return of abducted Japanese citizens.

SHINZO ABE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER "And what is more important - the abduction issue. The solution to all these issues must be resolved."

Trump said he's open to restoring diplomatic relations, to ending the Korean War, and to hosting Kim at the White House-provided Pyongyang agrees to get rid of its nuclear program.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "I'm totally prepared to walk away. You have to be able to walk away."

JESSICA STONE WHITE HOUSE "Trump's Secretary of State says Kim has confirmed he's willing to denuclearize but hasn't specified how, or when."

MIKE POMPEO US SECRETARY OF STATE "I had a chance to meet Kim Jong Un twice."

Both Pompeo and Trump continue to say they believe Kim will disarm if Japan, China and the Republic of Korea rebuild his country and the US guarantees his security. Jessica Stone, CGTN, the White House.