Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida late Tuesday night reiterated an offer to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to find a diplomatic path forward amid growing tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.
Kishida said his country was willing to resolve all of its issues with its isolated neighbor, including the highly controversial kidnappings of civilians to train as spies.
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“From the perspective of opening up a new era together, I would like to convey my determination to meet with President Kim Jong Un face-to-face at any time without any conditions,” Kishida said during his speech at the United Nations, adding he would welcome “high-level talks” under his “direct supervision.”
Kishida, the final global leader to speak in a day of speeches that began at 9 a.m., also pledged $20 million to help rid the world of nuclear weapons, something he described as his life’s work. Kishida represents Hiroshima, the site of the world’s first nuclear attack.
“Japan, as a non-permanent member, will cooperate with the U.N. and other involved nations to promote discussion between nuclear and non-nuclear states,” he added.
North Korea attempted to carry out nuclear tests in 2006. After a “cooling off” period, which included three meetings with former President Donald Trump, the country has once again created concern after carrying out missile tests that have put several countries on edge, including South Korea, Japan, and the United States.
Unlike with Trump, Kim has shown no interest in meeting with President Joe Biden.
From the U.N. podium, Kishida also expressed concern about the ongoing war in Ukraine, addressed an international food shortage, and said Japan is committed to changing the political landscape to be more inclusive of women. He also said the world was facing complex issues and that human dignity was at stake.
The U.N. General Assembly is gathering this week in New York City for its 78th annual meeting to address some of the world’s most pressing diplomatic issues.
Global leaders such as Kishida, Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were among the speakers who not only presented their vision for their countries but also addressed problems facing the world.
This year’s theme is about “rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity.” The leaders are expected to take a hard look at climate change and “sustainable development goals.”
Several representatives from the countries at the U.N. are also meeting on the sidelines to discuss deals and projects.
Separately, representatives from China, Japan, and South Korea announced they would hold talks in Seoul on Sept. 26. It will be the first face-to-face summit with all three countries in four years.
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The meeting will be led by Jung Byung-won, South Korea’s deputy foreign minister for political affairs, Japan’s Funakoshi Takehiro, and China’s Nong Rong.
Although the countries had agreed to hold an annual summit since 2008, they last met in December 2019.
