Travel pool report #7 - Spray with families of North Korea abductees, quotes

At 11:45 the President and PM Takaichi walked into the room. They posed for pictures with the families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.

POTUS briefly laid his hand on the arm of a lady standing next to him, who bowed to him and he then bowed in return.

Here are a couple of rough quotes, please check against audio.

He acknowledged the "strong feeling" of the Prime Minister around this issue and took a few questions.

"I see all these beautiful faces"

"The US is with them all the way" he said about Japan and the families, noting that he had met some of them before.

POTUS then engaged with the families briefly saying "I remember all these beautiful faces"

Asked whether he would discuss it with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un he said "We have been so busy" and added "We will be discussing it" but your pooler stresses that it's unclear whether he was referring to Kim or others when he said "we".

On his way out he took a last question and noted that Japan was increasing its defense spending.

At 11:53 the motorcade was rolling back to the RON.

Aurelia End

AFP White House Correspondent

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@aureliaendAFP