Trump, Abe talk N. Korea at G-20

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the U.S. President Donald Trump meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Argentina, Friday (local time). Yonhap

U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed the issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons program at a meeting on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Argentina, Friday, according to the White House.

Japan has sought to have a bigger say in the diplomatic efforts to rid the North of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which pose a direct threat to the archipelago nation.

Abe has built a close relationship with Trump, while ties with South Korea have become frigid due to issues relating to Japan's 1910-45 occupation of the Korean Peninsula.

“The two leaders reviewed recent developments in North Korea and discussed how best to work with the international community, including their close ally the Republic of Korea, to maintain pressure until North Korea implements its commitment to denuclearize,” the White House said in a press release.

Japan is a strong supporter of the U.S.-led campaign to keep economic sanctions on North Korea until it dismantles its nuclear program in a complete and verifiable manner.

Going into the meeting, Trump touted the bilateral relationship as “quite extraordinary.”

“We're two countries that are doing very well in many different ways,” he said. “Our military working together, having to do with North Korea and other factors, really has been very strong.”

The White House said the two also discussed cooperation on “advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” energy system and infrastructure, and pending negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement. (Yonhap)