Trump meets with families of Japanese kidnapped in North Korea

President Trump met Monday with families of Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea amid speculation about whether he will meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sune Takaishi took photos and spoke with families, some of whom held up photos of their loved ones.

“The United States stands with them all the way,” Trump said, adding that this is an issue about which Takaichi feels strongly.

Japan says at least 17 of its citizens were kidnapped by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Five citizens were returned in 2002.

There has been speculation about whether Trump will meet Kim Jong Un during his trip to Asia this week. The president left the possibility open, though White House officials said there were no plans to hold such a meeting before Trump returns to the United States on Thursday.

“I will. If you want to spread the word, I’m open to that,” Trump said as he headed to Malaysia on Saturday.

Trump met with Kim twice during his first term, including in 2019 when he became the first president to set foot in the demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea. He has repeatedly bragged about his “great relationship” with the North Korean dictator.