PM Kishida Wants To Meet North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un, Here's The Sister's Response

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is with his younger brother Kim Yo Jong. (Screenshot of Youtube TheThings Celebrity)

JAKARTA - Kim Yo-jong, the younger brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Monday revealed that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently conveyed his intention to immediately meet his brother on another "other route", state media reported.

However, Kim said the increase in bilateral relations between the two countries would depend on whether Japan could make practical political decisions.

"The prime minister should know, just because he wants and has made a decision, doesn't mean he can or our country's leaders will meet him," Kim was quoted as saying in the KCNA report.

"What is clear is that when Japan is hostile to the Democratic Republic of the People of Korea and violates its sovereign rights, Japan is considered our enemy and will be part of its target," Kim added, using North Korea's official name.

Last month, Kim Yo-jong, who also serves in the ruling Labor Party, said PM Kishida might one day visit Pyongyang.

"If Japan makes a political decision to pave new ways to improve relations based on mutual respect and respect, in my view, the two countries can open up new futures," KCNA quoted him as saying.

Asked about media reports regarding Kim's comments, PM Kishida reiterated the importance of a summit to resolve bilateral issues, such as the kidnapping of Japanese citizens by Pyongyang agents decades ago.

"It is important to hold a high-level meeting to resolve kidnapping issues and other issues. As I have said, we are approaching North Korea in various ways under my direct supervision," PM Kishida said at a parliamentary session.

PM Kishida said he wanted to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "without any preconditions" and personally oversee efforts to make the top meeting of the leaders the first in 20 years.

On Monday, Japanese Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said North Korean statements of the kidnapping issue had been resolved "completely unacceptable", underscoring potential barriers to improving relations.