Press Statement of Vice Department Director of C.C., WPK Kim Yo Jong

Pyongyang, March 26 (KCNA) -- Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, issued the following press statement on Tuesday:

Through a press conference of the chief Cabinet secretary on Monday afternoon, the Japanese side clarified the stand that it can never accept the fact that the abduction issue was settled.

Letting out the expression of pending nuclear and missile issue which has nothing to do with it, it tried to interfere in and take issue with the exercise of sovereignty belonging to the DPRK's legitimate self-defense.

Japan has no courage to change history, promote regional peace and stability and take the first step for the fresh DPRK-Japan relations.

This is proved by the attitude of Japan clinging to the unattainable issues which can never be settled and have nothing to be settled.

The remarks made by Prime Minister Kishida about the DPRK-Japan summit, which have recently attracted the public attention several times, can be regarded as the politically-motivated one.

The DPRK-Japan relations should not be used for the political calculation of the Japanese prime minister who is aware of his lowest approval rate.

It was the Japanese side that knocked at the door first requesting "the Japan-DPRK summit without preconditions", and the DPRK only clarified its stand that it would welcome Japan if it is ready to make a new start, not being obsessed by the past.

The DPRK government has clearly understood once again the attitude of Japan and, accordingly, the DPRK side will pay no attention to and reject any contact and negotiations with the Japanese side.

The DPRK-Japan summit is not a matter of concern to the DPRK. -0-

www.kcna.kp (Juche113.3.26.)