At the St .Petersburg International Economic Forum, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, though feeling disappointed about the cancellation of the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un scheduled for June 12 in Singapore, showed respect for the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump.
“It is regrettable, but I respect and support U.S. President Trump’s decision,” Abe told reporters in St. Petersburg.
However, the Prime Minister still believed such a summit is needed to resolve hostilities and concerns over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. “I hope that moves toward such a U.S.-North Korea summit will re-emerge while the international community maintains its pressure (on North Korea),” he said. He also added that he would talk with President Trump by phone soon after returning home from his visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.