UNITED NATIONS - Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared his willingness to meet the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s leader Kim Jong-un without preconditions, affirming the policy of his predecessor in his debut speech to the United Nations.

Establishing a constructive relationship between Japan and North Korea will not only serve the interests of both sides, but will also greatly contribute to regional peace and stability.

Yoshihide Suga, Japanese PM

In accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, Japan would seek to normalize ties with the DPRK, Suga told the General Assembly, in remarks that local media said had been recorded almost a week earlier.

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According to the bilateral accord inked in 2002, both countries will seek to settle the nuclear and missile issue on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the issue of Japanese nationals allegedly abducted in the 1970s and 1980s.

“Establishing a constructive relationship between Japan and North Korea will not only serve the interests of both sides, but will also greatly contribute to regional peace and stability,” Suga said.

The DPRK is also referred to as North Korea.

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"I will miss no opportunity to take actions with all my dedication," he said.

In his conclusion, the new prime minister said Japan is determined to host the Tokyo Olympics next summer "as proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic."