How to interpret North Korea’s abrupt about-face on diplomacy with Japan



Analysis How to interpret North Korea’s abrupt about-face on diplomacy with Japan DPRK’s public rejection of talks may be a play for leverage, with Tokyo well-positioned to serve as intermediary to US Sangsoo Lee April 11, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A collage of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) \| Images: KCNA (March 7, 2024), Image: NATO HQ PHOTO via Flickr (Jan. 13, 2023), edited by NK Pro North Korea recently poured cold water on widespread speculation that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio will visit Pyongyang for a summit with Kim Jong Un, criticizing Tokyo’s emphasis on the abduction issue. But a closer examination suggests it’s too early to completely rule out the possibility of a meeting between the two adversaries, with Japan still well-positioned to play a role in diplomacy with the DPRK. Kishida made a sudden push for high-level negotiations with North Korea in May 2023, and optimism for a summit initially surged following a positive statement from the DPRK leader Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01China knows North Korea needs it most, despite conspicuous Russia-DPRK ties 02What North Korea stands to gain — and lose — by sending workers overseas 03State media review: North Korea says citizens give thumbs-up to Kim Jong Un song 04State media review: Kim Jong Un’s leadership cult dims the Day of the Sun 05Why North Korea could draw inspiration from Iran’s suicide drone attack 06After the Panel: Weighing the best alternatives to monitor North Korea sanctions 07State media review: North Korea begins celebrations for dead leader’s birthday 08How to interpret North Korea’s abrupt about-face on diplomacy with Japan

About the Author

Sangsoo Lee

Dr. Sangsoo Lee is a founder of Strategic Linkages (SL), consulting on Korean issues, based in Stockholm, and a senior adviser at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), based in Geneva.

Dr. Lee was previously the deputy director and head of the Stockholm Korea Center at the Institute for Security & Development Policy (ISDP). He is also an associated fellow at the European Center for North Korea Studies at the University of Vienna. His areas of interest are Security and Conflict issues in Northeast Asia with a focus on the North Korean nuclear crisis and inter-Korean relations. He holds a Ph.D. in Northeast Asian Studies from Peking University and has been a visiting researcher at the United Nations University (UNU-CRIS) (2007) and the London School of Economics (LSE) (2011).

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