Trump Meets Family Of Japanese Kidnapped By North Korea

JAKARTA - United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday met with the families of Japanese nationals kidnapped by North Korea decades ago and renewed his commitment to push for the return of victims to their families as soon as possible.

Together with the new Japanese Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, the brief meeting took place at the State Guest House in Tokyo, where the two held their first face-to-face talks.

Trump told the families of the victims his government was in line with Japan on the matter and said 'we're always thinking about this.'

"We will do everything," Trump said.

During his first term of office, Trump also met with the families of Japanese citizens who were victims of North Korea's kidnapping.

Japan officially noted 17 of its citizens had been kidnapped by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. However, Japan suspects North Korean agents are involved in more cases of the disappearance of its citizens.

Five victims have been sent home in 2002, and since then there has been no significant progress in efforts to repatriate other victims.

Trump has repeatedly boasted of his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, despite his second denuclearization talks failing in 2019. Trump has also voiced his desire to return to a diplomatic dialogue with Pyongyang.

Neither Japan nor the United States have diplomatic relations with North Korea until now.