Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday he believes President Trump is the world leader with the most knowledge and understanding of how important it is for Japan to resolve the issue of the dozen citizens that North Korea abducted in the 1970s and 1980s.
“On the issue of abduction, I was able to have detailed discussion and I think President Trump fully understands the situation. He supports the position of Japan,” Abe said through an interpreter in a White House press briefing with Trump on Thursday.
A dozen of Japan’s citizens were abducted by North Korea decades earlier, and Abe is hoping Trump can press that issue when he meets with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un next week in Singapore.
“Last year, President Trump visited Japan,” Abe said. “On that occasion, he met with the families of abductees. I told you about the 13-year-old girl abducted. The mother of this girl met with President Trump and very seriously he intently listened to the voices and views of the family members.”
“So President Trump, amongst the world leaders, I think he is one of the leaders who understand the issue the most, the greatest,” Abe said.
“So at the upcoming summit, the importance of abduction will be explained to Mr. Kim Jong Un,” Abe said.
