Top nuclear envoys from Japan and the U.S. are keeping close watch on the apparent thawing of relations between South and North Korea.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Kenji Kanasugi, Director-General of the ministry's Asian and Oceania Affairs Bureau, and U.S. special representative for North Korea policy Joseph Yun held phone talks and exchanged opinions on recent developments in inter-Korean relations.

The ministry said the two officials agreed on the need to continue pressure on the North to draw a change in the regime's nuclear-oriented policy. 

They also exchanged views on the telephone conversation held between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump Thursday night, and reaffirmed close bilateral coordination and trilateral coordination involving South Korea in dealing with the North.

[Photo : ]