Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed their "resolute" commitment to the "complete denuclearization of North Korea," a joint statement announced following their summit. This declaration comes as Pyongyang continues to assert that its nuclear arms are not negotiable.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump and Ishiba met for their first in-person summit and expressed "serious" concerns regarding North Korea's advancing weapons programs. They emphasized the importance of trilateral cooperation with South Korea to address these issues. The joint statement highlighted the leaders' commitment to countering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear and missile programs and the need to deter its cyber activities and military cooperation with Russia.
The meeting occurred amid speculation about the potential resumption of Trump's personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Trump, during a Fox News interview, indicated his intention to reconnect with Kim, whom he described as a "smart guy." At a joint press conference, Trump mentioned the positive nature of his relationship with Kim, which he believes is beneficial for maintaining peace.
Trump claimed that his diplomatic efforts had averted a possible conflict in Korea, asserting that his relationship with Kim prevented a serious escalation. He discussed with Ishiba the shared commitment to maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula and emphasized cooperation for peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Prime Minister Ishiba stated that he had "candid" discussions with Trump on various regional challenges, including North Korea, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait. He reiterated the need to address North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and confirmed Japan and the U.S.'s joint efforts towards complete denuclearization.
The leaders also expressed their opposition to any attempts by China to alter the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas. They stressed the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait and encouraged a peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.
Ishiba used the meeting to highlight the urgency of resolving the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea decades ago. He expressed hope that Trump's renewed presidency could lead to progress on this matter, alongside denuclearization efforts.