Japan's spy official meets with pro-NK group's de facto chief in Tokyo

Seen is the headquarters of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, or Chongryon, in Tokyo in this Feb. 23, 2018 file photo. / Korea Times File

By Park Ji-won

A top Japanese intelligence official met with the top figure of a pro-North Korean organization in Japan at the end of last year in a possible move to restore relations with the North according to media reports Friday.

South Korean news outlet Newsis reported Friday that Shigeru Kitamura, the head of the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, had a secret meeting with Nam Seung-woo, vice chairman of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, or Chongryon, in Tokyo at the end of last year.

The report says their agenda was not disclosed but seemingly it touched on restoration of diplomatic ties and the Japanese abductee issue, a controversial dispute blocking the two's relations. Chongryon's senior officials are allegedly connected directly to senior North Korean officials, exchanging goods and information. The pro-North Korean group's headquarters serves as the de facto North Korean embassy in Japan.

The Korea Times reached out to the Japanese embassy in Seoul, but it declined to comment on the matter, stating “We cannot elaborate further as it is intelligence agency related business.”

The intelligence officer's move is likely in line with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's political aim to restore diplomatic relations with North Korea during his service. In a major policy speech for the New Year to mark the opening of parliament on Monday, Abe said that he will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un face-to-face and restore diplomatic relations between the two long-time enemies. He also said he hopes to meet Kim to resolve North Korea's nuclear and missile issues, as well as the abduction issue.

Kitamura is Abe's key aide heading the intelligence office who also reportedly met with North Korean officials in Mongolia in October, likely to discuss Japanese abductee issues and restoration of relations. Nam, de facto leader of the group as Chyongron's chair Ho Jong-man is reportedly sick, is also a key figure who has been serving as a senior member of the organization for decades.

Abe has long sought to settle the dispute related to North Korean agents' abductions of Japanese nationals during the Cold War era. Kim Jong-il confirmed in September 2002 that the country had abducted Japanese nationals. The North Korea-related group also sought to play an important role as it has been losing members and power since Kim's confirmation.

As the two are senior officers with decision-making power in each country and Chyongron's existence as a representative of the North, speculation mounted that the meetings are likely signs to show Tokyo and Pyongyang have entered serious talks to resume ties.

Also, Shoichiro Ishikawa, secretary general of the Abductions of Japanese Citizens By North Korea, an umbrella organization under the prime minister's office, has also reportedly met with North Korean officials in a third country.

In 2016, the Japanese government prohibited Nam from re-entering Japan after visiting North Korea along with other Chongryon members and school officials, as part of Japan's independent sanctions against the North following North Korea's nuclear tests.

In recent years, the two countries have failed to narrow their differences in the abduction issue, as the North has been claiming the problem was settled while Japan has been asking for the confirmation of the list of abductees and their return.