Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida walks before the Lower House's plenary session at the National Diet in Tokyo, Jan. 30. UPI-Yonhap

A summit between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un seems to be becoming more feasible, which raises a key question about South Korea's preparedness to buffer any possible fallout on its relations with Japan.

Optimism about a Kishida-Kim summit is based on facts.

First and foremost, holding such top-level talks would be a mutual effort, rather than North Korea’s wishful thinking as reported in some South Korean media outlets.

Japan wants it. So does the North Korean leader. Kim has nothing to lose if the summit is held, and a lot more to gain. A Japan-North Korea summit would allow Kim to gain much-needed financial incentives. It would also boost his pride as he will feel he is a highly sought-after leader. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to visit Pyongyang for a summit with Kim soon, after the North Korean leader paid a visit to the Russian Far East region last September.

Second, conditions for the Kishida-Kim summit are ripe. Most importantly, Japan has the U.S.’ back. When the possibility of a Japan-North Korea summit was reported after Kim’s sister Yo-jong raised it in her recent statement released through the North's official Korean Central News Agency, South Korean media outlets........

© The Korea Times