(LEAD) Abe expresses hope for Japan-N. Korea talks after inter-Korean summit

(ATTN: CHANGES headline; UPDATES with more details in paras 10-13; ADDS photos)

SEOUL, April 24 (Yonhap) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his hope to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to discuss ways to normalize the countries' ties on Tuesday, while asking South Korean President Moon Jae-in to help resolve the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by the communist state.

In a telephone conversation with Moon, the Japanese leader also welcomed Moon's upcoming summit with Kim, calling it a rare chance to not only denuclearize the North but also improve his country's ties with Pyongyang.

"There are many issues between Japan and North Korea, such as the nuclear, missile and abduction issues, but should the South-North Korea summit and the following North Korea-U.S. summit be held successfully, there may also be dialogue between Japan and North Korea," Abe said, according to Moon's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

"The success of the South-North Korea summit and the North-U.S. summit means resolution of the nuclear, missile and abduction issues, and should that happen, Japan and North Korea may be able to put their past behind and normalize their relationship," he was quoted as saying.

The call between Moon and Abe came three days before the South Korean president is set to meet Kim for what will be a third inter-Korean summit. North Korea has admitted to kidnapping several Japanese citizens in the past partly to help train its spies. Tokyo insists that at least more than a dozen may have been taken to the reclusive state against their will.

Moon agreed that his and U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming summits with Kim may help fundamentally resolve the existing issues between Japan and North Korea.

Following his summit with Moon, the North Korean leader is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in May or early June for what will be the first U.S.-North Korea summit.

When asked by Abe to officially put the abduction issue on the table of his meeting with Kim, the South Korean leader said he has raised the issue with North Korea whenever there has been an opportunity in the past and that he will do so again at his upcoming meeting on Friday.

"I plan to tell Chairman Kim that resolving the Japanese abduction issue will help establish peace in Northeast Asia," Moon told Abe, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom.

Abe also asked if Moon will seek to discuss formally ending the Korean War with a peace treaty when he meets Kim.

Moon answered that the move would require joint efforts and the agreement of at least three countries -- South Korea, North Korea and the U.S.

"We will closely work with the U.S. to create such conditions and also consult with Prime Minister Abe," he told the Japanese leader, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

The two Koreas technically remain at war as the 1950-53 Korean War ended only with an armistice.

Japan is said to be increasingly concerned that it may be sidelined amid the series of discussions with North Korea on ridding the communist state of nuclear weapons.

Kim made a surprise visit to Beijing last month for a bilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He then sent Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho as his special envoy to Moscow.

China and Russia -- along with South Korea, North Korea, the U.S. and Japan -- are part of the six-nation talks on ending the North's nuclear ambitions.

bdk@yna.co.kr
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