Japan, N.Korea clash over abduction issue at UN meeting

Japan has raised the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens at a United Nations committee meeting, sparking a heated debate with North Korea's representative.

Kawahara Kazutaka, a minister at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN, spoke on Friday at the Third Committee of the General Assembly, which handles human rights issues.

He said the abduction issue is "a matter of grave concern not only for Japan, but for the international community." He went on to say the issue relates to "the sanctity of human life and must be resolved immediately, as the abductees and their families are aging."

The North Korean envoy argued against Kawahara's remarks, claiming that the abduction issue has been "completely and finally" settled. He criticized Japan for what he called "its persistent distortion of history and evasion of settlement of its past."

Kawahara countered that Japan has repeatedly expressed feelings of remorse and heartfelt apology for its actions during wartime, and rejected North Korea's claims as "groundless." He repeated his call for an early resolution to the abduction issue, saying it is a "humanitarian and time-sensitive issue with no time to spare."

Following the exchange, the two envoys continued arguing.

US President Donald Trump has expressed his willingness to hold a summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Last month, some family members of the Japanese abductees visited Washington to hold talks with US government officials and call for US cooperation to help resolve the issue.