Kishida: "Negotiations Must Begin for UN Reform... Willing to Meet Kim Jong-un"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
[Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida emphasized on the 20th (local time) that negotiations must begin to reform the United Nations (UN) to strengthen its functions. Kishida reiterated his willingness to meet North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un without any preconditions.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun and others, Kishida criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine and called for UN reform during his general debate speech at the UN General Assembly held in New York, USA, on the same day.

Kishida stated, "Russia's invasion of Ukraine is an act that tramples on the ideals of the UN Charter," and emphasized, "To establish an international order based on the rule of law, the UN's functions must be strengthened and reformed." He pointed out that because Russia holds veto power as one of the UN Security Council member states, the Security Council was unable to adequately respond to the Ukraine situation.

Kishida said, "What is truly needed is action for reform, not just discussion," and added, "It is time to start negotiations based on the text." The 'reform' Japan refers to includes expanding the number of permanent members. In 2005, Japan, along with India, Brazil, and Germany, submitted a Security Council reform resolution, but this momentum did not spread widely. However, expanding the permanent members of the UN Security Council requires amending the UN Charter, making it a difficult task.

Kishida also reiterated his willingness to hold a summit with Kim Jong-un on the same day. He stated, "The policy to comprehensively resolve various issues such as abductees and North Korea's nuclear and missile programs according to the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, to clear up the unfortunate past, and to establish diplomatic relations with the North remains unchanged."

The Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration mentioned by Kishida is a declaration announced during the summit between former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who visited North Korea in September 2002, and then National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il. It includes Japan's apology and compensation for past history and the abandonment of hostile policies toward North Korea. At that time, Japan and North Korea also discussed the issue of forcibly abducted Japanese citizens, but the Japanese government maintains the position that the number of abductees acknowledged by North Korea differs from the facts, leaving the issue unresolved.

Earlier, in October last year, Kishida also mentioned the issue of North Korea's forced abductions and expressed his readiness to face Kim Jong-un directly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.