Japan's Motegi to visit Mongolia this week to discuss N. Korea www.mainichi.com
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tuesday he will visit Mongolia later this week to discuss the situation over North Korea, with which Ulaanbaatar has close ties.
During the two-day trip from Friday, Motegi will meet with Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga and counterpart Nyamtseren Enkhtaivan, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.
"I hope to further strengthen the strategic partnership" with Mongolia where a new government was launched in July, Motegi told a press conference.
Motegi is expected to seek cooperation in resolving the issue of North Korea's past abductions of Japanese nationals, diplomatic sources said earlier.
Japan, which has no diplomatic ties with North Korea, has often looked to Mongolia to act as a mediator.
It will be the first trip to Mongolia by a Japanese foreign minister since Taro Kono visited the country in June last year.
Published Date:2020-10-07