Mongolian president may talk with Kim in North Korea
SEOUL--Mongolia's President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj is visiting North Korea, making him the first foreign head of state to go there under Kim Jong Un's leadership.
Elbegdorj held talks with Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said Oct. 28.
Because Mongolia traditionally has close ties with North Korea, Japanese officials are holding out hope the visit will lead to progress in the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.
The visit is the first by a foreign leader since Kim became first secretary of the ruling Worker’s Party of Korea in April 2012. It is thought that Kim Jong Un may meet with Elbegdorj during his stay.
KCNA said Elbegdorj and Kim Yong Nam shared opinions on the state of relations between the two countries and other issues.
The online edition of Rodong Sinmun, mouthpiece of the North's ruling party, said in an editorial on Oct. 28 that the Korean people viewed the visit as a good occasion to develop bilateral ties, as well as mutual exchange and cooperation, "in all fields."
This year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between North Korea and Mongolia.
Japan has sought Mongolia's assistance in helping it solve the abduction issue. Japanese officials have their fingers crossed that Kim might send some signal on the issue via Elbegdorj.
Mongolia has been receptive to the Japanese request, and a focus of attention now is whether the president refers to the issue in Pyongyang. a
Elbegdorj held talks with Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said Oct. 28.
Because Mongolia traditionally has close ties with North Korea, Japanese officials are holding out hope the visit will lead to progress in the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.
The visit is the first by a foreign leader since Kim became first secretary of the ruling Worker’s Party of Korea in April 2012. It is thought that Kim Jong Un may meet with Elbegdorj during his stay.
KCNA said Elbegdorj and Kim Yong Nam shared opinions on the state of relations between the two countries and other issues.
The online edition of Rodong Sinmun, mouthpiece of the North's ruling party, said in an editorial on Oct. 28 that the Korean people viewed the visit as a good occasion to develop bilateral ties, as well as mutual exchange and cooperation, "in all fields."
This year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between North Korea and Mongolia.
Japan has sought Mongolia's assistance in helping it solve the abduction issue. Japanese officials have their fingers crossed that Kim might send some signal on the issue via Elbegdorj.
Mongolia has been receptive to the Japanese request, and a focus of attention now is whether the president refers to the issue in Pyongyang. a
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