AMMAN – Japan and Jordan on Sunday confirmed the importance of steadily implementing U.N. sanctions on North Korea to tackle the reclusive nation’s provocations including a nuclear test, a Japanese government official said.
During their talks in Jordan’s capital, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono told his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi that Tokyo is calling on countries that have amicable relations with the North to stop accepting laborers from Pyongyang, the official said.
Kono has reiterated that some Middle Eastern nations have accepted thousands of North Korean workers, helping Pyongyang obtain funds for its nuclear and ballistic missile development programs.
Safadi responded to Kono by saying Jordan has completely supported Japan’s stance, according to the official.
North Korea said through its official media on Sept. 3 that it successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb and now has the ability to adjust the power of a nuclear warhead as it chooses depending on the attack target. It was its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.
The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote Monday on a resolution toughening sanctions on Pyongyang, with the United States proposing an oil embargo.
Kono also expressed his support for Jordan, which has seen an influx of refugees from Syria, and pledged aid totaling 1.4 billion yen ($13 million) for medical assistance and public safety measures in the country.
Later Sunday, Kono moved to Saudi Arabia and held talks with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Adel al-Jubeir.
He told al-Jubeir that Japan will actively cooperate to ease tensions through dialogue after diplomatic ties were severed between Qatar and several major Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the official said.
Kono is on a six-day trip through Wednesday to Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, his first visit to the region since he became foreign minister last month.
On Monday, Kono is scheduled to hold political dialogue in Egypt with ministers from the Arab League, which groups together 21 Middle Eastern and African nations as well as Palestine.
