Kim Jong-un’s powerful sister offers rare olive branch to Japan as Seoul-Pyongyang ties weaken

The tone is a marked change from her comments nearly two years ago when accused Japan and other nations of criticising Pyongyang for ICBM tests

While North Korea appears to be warming up to Japan, its ties with Seoul have deteriorated, with Kim Jong-un saying the North had legal right to annihilate South Korea

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A TV screen shows a file image of Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, during a news programme at the Seoul Railway Station. Kim Yo-jong has said she saw a positive tone in comments from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is seeking a summit. Photo: AP

Published: 5:24pm, 16 Feb 2024Updated: 6:33pm, 16 Feb 2024

Japan is “paying attention” to remarks by the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un suggesting a visit to Pyongyang by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida could be possible, the top government spokesman said on Friday.

At a press conference, chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi declined to elaborate on Kim Yo-jong’s statement, which was carried by North Korea’s state-run media on Thursday, citing the possible negative impact on negotiations regarding the past abductions of Japanese nationals by Pyongyang.

The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered a rare opening for Japan, saying she saw a positive tone in comments from Kishida, who is seeking a summit.

Kim Yo-jong indicated a meeting of leaders would be possible if Japan “does not lay such a stumbling block as the already settled abduction issue,” she said.

“It is my opinion that if Japan makes a political decision to open up a new way of mending the relations through its courteous behaviour and trustworthy action on the basis of courageously breaking with anachronistic hostility and unattainable desire and recognising each other, the two countries can open up a new future together,” the statement said.

The tone is a marked change from comments she issued nearly two years ago when she lumped Japan in a bunch of “sinister” nations she accused of raising rabble at the United Nations to criticise Pyongyang for the test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. She has also unleashed speeches with fiery and threatening language directed at South Korea’s leaders.