SEOUL – North Korea has announced it will refuse all forms of contact with Japan, escalating tensions between the two countries. The decision comes in response to Japan's criticism of North Korea's handling of the abduction of Japanese citizens and its ongoing nuclear program. Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and vice department director of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee, stated the country's stance in a release by the Korean Central News Agency. This announcement followed her comments on Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's expressed willingness for a summit with Kim Jong-un, criticizing Japan for lacking the initiative to foster a new bilateral relationship and contribute to historical change and regional stability. Kim Yo-jong emphasized that the North Korean government would henceforth ignore and reject any outreach or negotiation attempts from Japan.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the breakdown in communication marks a continued strain in North Korea-Japan relations, compounded by historical grievances and security concerns. The impasse underscores the challenges in addressing regional tensions and resolving longstanding issues of abductions and nuclear proliferation.