Ex-Japanese PM expresses regret over Korea-Japan diplomatic row
By Park Ji-won Video by Lee Min-young, Kim Kang-min
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should restore relations with South Korea immediately in order to tackle his priority issues such as the repatriation of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea and establishing diplomatic relations between Tokyo and Pyongyang, according to former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama.
"Japanese PM Shinzo Abe cannot resolve the issue of Japanese abductees by North Korean spies and establish diplomatic relations with North Korea," unless he improves the Seoul-Tokyo relationship, Hatoyama, who served in the post between 2009 and 2010, said during an exclusive interview with The Korea Times.