Japan asks Mongolia to help with abduction issue www.nhk.or.jp
Japan's foreign minister has asked his Mongolian counterpart for help in resolving the issue of Japanese nationals kidnapped by North Korea.
Taro Kono and Damdin Tsogtbaatar held talks in Ulaanbaatar. Kono is the first Japanese Foreign Minister to visit Mongolia in nine years. The nation has longstanding friendly ties with North Korea.
Kono told Tsogtbaatar that Japan would like a summit with North Korea and has no preconditions for the meeting.
Tsogtbaatar showed his understanding of Japan's stance and agreed to cooperate.
The two ministers agreed on the importance of fully implementing UN Security Council's sanctions to make Pyongyang abandon its nuclear and missile programs.
North Korea launched short-range missiles last month.
Kono said in a joint press release that Japan will continue to stand with the people of Mongolia.
He expressed hope that the two countries will further boost their strategic partnership.
Published Date:2019-06-17