Japan's Foreign Minister Visits Kyiv Amid North Korean Concerns

During his unannounced visit to Kyiv on November 16, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya met with President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss Japan's support for Ukraine and the alarming presence of North Korean troops in Russia amidst the ongoing war. Iwaya condemned North Korea's military cooperation with Russia, stating it poses significant implications for East Asian security and reaffirmed Japan's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty. Both leaders agreed to enhance bilateral security dialogues and intelligence sharing in response to the current threats. Iwaya also expressed Japan's intent to explore further sanctions against Russia, aligning with the Group of Seven's support for Ukraine. The meeting followed reports that up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to support Russian efforts in Ukraine, which has led to clashes near the Kursk border region. Iwaya's visit symbolizes a strengthening of ties between Japan and Ukraine during a critical period of international security challenges.