The Secretary-General met this morning with H.E. Mr. Katsunobu Kato, Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue, of Japan.

The Secretary-General and Mr. Kato discussed the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including the country’s nuclear programme and the human rights situation.

The Secretary-General expressed his appreciation for Japan’s efforts to raise awareness of the abduction issue, reiterating the United Nations’ support in this regard.

He also stressed that the security challenge should be considered separately from the humanitarian situation.