[SUMMIT] N. Korea's Kim promises to make Moon sleep well

By Lim Chang-won Posted : April 27, 2018, 15:54 Updated : April 27, 2018, 16:24

[Joint Press Corps.]


SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un promised to make South Korean President Moon Jae-in sleep well without waking up at dawn to convene a high-level security conference due to sudden provocations by the communist regime such as the 2010 cross-border shelling of a front-line island.

Kim voiced sorry for awakening Moon at dawn "because of us" and gave his promise that the South Korean leader would have a good sleep. His comment was interpreted as indicating there would be no sudden military provocations.

Moon has often convened a pre-dawn session of the National Security Council (NSC) because of North Korean provocations such as missile launches and nuclear tests.

"I heard that you could not have a sound sleep at dawn to attend the NSC because of us," Kim said, according to a record of private pre-summit conversations, disclosed by South Korea. "I will confirm that you will have a good sleep," he was quoted as saying.

Kim also called for frank and sincere talks to establish peace, citing security concerns among residents on South Korea's front-line Yeonpyeong island about North Korean artillery attacks. In November 2010, The North shelled the island, killing four South Koreans and briefly triggering concerns of a full-scale conflict.

The North Korean leader expressed his willingness to visit South Korea's presidential Blue House. "I will go to the Blue House whenever President (Moon) invites me," Kim said, suggesting he would make Moon feel comfortable if he comes to Pyongyang.

Kim stressed the two Koreas should restore "trust and faith" to end decades of confrontation. "Trust and faith in each other are important. I came here to put an end to the history of confrontation. I am confident that a good future will come."

"There is skepticism as much as expectations. After a big agreement, we have not implemented it for more than 10 years," Kim said, referring to the previous inter-Korean summit in 2007. "There is also skepticism about whether today's meeting will be successful. I think we can do better than now if we go together hand in hand with our firm will." 

 
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