Japan calls for North Korean steps toward denuclearization

TOKYO — Japan’s leader on Tuesday called on North Korea to take concrete steps toward denuclearization.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that he welcomes any dialogue premised on denuclearization. He spoke ahead of a meeting in Tokyo with South Korea intelligence chief Suh Hoon.

“I believe it is extremely important that North Korea takes concrete actions to achieve what it has said,’’ Abe said at the beginning of the talks. President Donald Trump has agreed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by May, and South Korean President Moon Jae-in is set to meet Kim in late April.

Suh is in Tokyo to brief Japanese officials on developments. He was part of a South Korean delegation that met Kim in Pyongyang last week. Another senior member of the delegation has briefed Chinese officials in Beijing. Suh said he is in Tokyo to convey Moon’s message that co-operation between the two countries are crucial to push forward a move toward peace on the Korean peninsula and to brief Abe about the latest development on North Korea.