N Korea, Japan can open 'new future'

SEOUL, Feb 16 (AFP): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister said Thursday her country would be open to improving ties with Tokyo, even hinting at a possible future invitation to Pyongyang for Japan's leader.

Kim Yo Jong's comments came after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said last week that he felt a "strong need" to change the current relationship between Tokyo and Pyongyang.

"I think there would be no reason not to appreciate his recent speech as a positive one, if it was prompted by his real intention to boldly free himself from the past fetters," Kim said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency.

Kim said the two countries "can open up a new future together" depending on Tokyo's actions.