Japan forgoes UN human rights motion on North Korea

Tokyo modifies hard-line stance in hopes of progress on abduction

North Korea has abducted over a dozen Japanese citizens. Miho Yamamoto, standing, is among those suspected of being taken by Pyongyang agents. © Reuters

Nikkei staff writers

March 14, 2019 04:51 JST

TOKYO -- Japan will skip its annual submission to the United Nations of a resolution condemning North Korean human rights abuses, hoping to get Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table on past abductions of Japanese nationals.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed a desire to meet with Kim Jong Un after U.S. President Donald Trump brought up the abduction issue with Kim in the summits in June last year and again in February. By changing tack, Japan hopes to receive a response from Pyongyang.