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Japanese politician says Russia could play important role in Korean peninsula settlement

Chairman of the Japanese New Party Big Earth Muneo Suzuki said that "historically, Russia — the USSR — has had strong influence on North Korea"

MOSCOW, April 16. /TASS/. Moscow historically has the strongest influence on Pyongyang that could be used in the Korean peninsula settlement, Chairman of the Japanese New Party Big Earth Muneo Suzuki said in an interview with TASS on Tuesday.

"Shortly [North Korean leader] Kim Jong-un will arrive in Russia for a meeting with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin. Historically, Russia — the USSR — has had strong influence on North Korea," he said. "That is why Russia may show some initiative on the issue. In this sense, its more active role in the settlement process is necessary, it meets the interests of all countries," he stressed.

Muneo Suzuki also believes support of Moscow and Washington is necessary to settle the problem around the Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents.

Earlier on Tuesday, South Korean KBS broadcaster said some reports indicate that Kim Jong-un will arrive in Russia’s Far Eastern city of Vladivostok on April 23 for a summit with President Vladimir Putin.