Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) and the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has traditionally been critical of both the United States and South Korea. On February 15, she shifted her focus to Japan and issued a message in response to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s remarks about the need for bold changes in Japan-North Korea relations.
In her message, Kim Yo Jong suggested that Japan should make a political decision to mend relations by showing courteous behavior and trustworthy actions and breaking with past hostilities and unattainable desires. She expressed hope for a new future of cooperation between the two countries.
However, she also highlighted the need for Japan to stop interfering with North Korea’s right to self-defense and to refrain from bringing up the abduction issue as obstacles to improving bilateral relations.
This presents a significant challenge for Japan before any summit meeting can take place after 22 years. The mention of the abduction issue deliberately complicates Japan’s path forward, as North Korea knows that Japan cannot ignore this issue.
Analysts speculate that this statement may have been influenced by recent developments, such as diplomatic relations between Cuba and South Korea, as well as previous remarks by North Korean officials. The message from Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Pak Sang Gil in May 2023 and a condolence message from Kim Jong Un in January 2024 signal a potential shift in North Korea’s stance towards Japan.
Overall, the statement suggests a growing interest from North Korea in improving relations with Japan, possibly in connection with broader diplomatic strategies involving the United States and South Korea. The long-term goal may be to prevent any hindrances to potential negotiations between the United States and North Korea.
ISOZAKI Atsuhito is a professor at Keio University.