On Monday, President Trump engaged in a poignant meeting with families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, amidst ongoing speculation about a potential meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

During the meeting, Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took photos and conversed with the families, who displayed pictures of their missing relatives, highlighting their long-standing plight.

“The U.S. stands firmly with them,” Trump affirmed, emphasizing that Prime Minister Takaichi holds a deep commitment to this cause.

According to Japanese authorities, North Korea abducted at least 17 Japanese citizens during the 1970s and 1980s. Five of these individuals were returned to Japan in 2002, bringing a glimmer of hope to the affected families.

As President Trump continues his Asian tour, speculation swirls over a possible encounter with Kim Jong Un. While Trump has not ruled out the possibility, White House officials have clarified that no such meeting is scheduled before his return to the United States on Thursday.

“I would. If you want to put out the word, I’m open to it,” Trump said as he flew to Malaysia on Saturday.

Trump met twice with Kim during his first term, including in 2019 when he became the first sitting president to set foot in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North Korea and South Korea. He has frequently boasted about his “great relationship” with the North Korean dictator.