TEHRAN, April 15, YJC - Japan needs to think about returning its citizens from North Korea amid ongoing escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Japan’s Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said on Saturday.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - He pointed out that the Foreign Ministry was in permanent contact with all interested ministries.
We understand that North Korea’s threat reached the new level in terms of quality and quantity. We are permanently doing everything to be fully prepared for every unforeseen situation.
Information is being gathered, analysis is being carried out, we are preparing various measures.
We must seriously think about ensuring security and, in case of an unforeseen situation, about returning [Japan’s citizens] home,” Kishida said, as quoted by the NHK broadcaster.
North Korea celebrates the Day of the Sun on Saturday, marking the 105th birth anniversary of founder and former leader Kim Il Sung.
US aircraft carrier Carl Vinson, surrounded by a fleet of US warships, was sent toward the Korean Peninsula in advance of this weekend’s festivities in Pyongyang.
The General Staff of the North Korean armed forces threatened on Friday to launch a preemptive strike against US military bases in Japan and South Korea, as well as the presidential residence in Seoul in case of US aggression.