Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that the research delegation would visit the Kurils in late June. Japanese media confirmed later in the month that a group of about 70 people would be led by Abe’s adviser Eiichi Hasegawa. The group is expected to visit the facilities that have been recognized as prospective for development of joint Russian-Japanese economic activity on the Kuril Islands. Source Sputnik
Will be able to assess NK’s economy on the ground and flesh out areas for cooperation. The 17 chaebol chairmen and business figures that will accompany the South Korean delegation to the Pyongyang summit will have the opportunity to personally assess, “out in the field” in North Korea, the possibilities and limits of inter-Korean economic cooperation. Source Hankyoreh
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un jointly announced the September Pyongyang Declaration, which includes an agreement by North Korea to permanently shut down its missile engine test site and launch pad at Dongchang Village. The agreement also includes a promise to shut down the Yongbyon nuclear facility, depending on corresponding measures from the US.Source Hankyoreh
Under nationalist pressure, Bulgaria’s government looks set to oppose any move to deprive Hungary of its voting rights in the EU, due to fears of democratic backsliding. Bulgaria’s government, led by Boyko Borissov, will soon draft a position opposing a pending vote to initiate the Article 7 process that could take away Hungary’s right to vote in the Council of the EU. Source Balkan Insight
