Prime Minister Shinzo Abe commented on Workers’ Party of Korea Chairman Kim Jong Un’s invitation for ROK President Moon Jae-in to visit North Korea at an intensive session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee on Feb. 14. He said: “The important thing is whether this will produce any results.” He cautioned the ROK not to be lured without any progress being made in denuclearization. He cited past visits by Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, pointing out: “Did they produce any results? It is necessary to do a careful analysis.”

Abe also talked about his contact with President Kim Yong Nam of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea at the reception hosted by Moon on Feb. 9. He explained: “I greeted everyone seated at the round table in turn. Mr. Kim Yong Nam was there, so I conveyed Japan’s position on the abduction, nuclear, and missile issues.” (Abridged)