N. Korean leader voices strong will to hold summit with Trump: President Moon

By Lim Chang-won Posted : May 27, 2018, 11:09 Updated : May 27, 2018, 12:35

[Yonhap News Photo]


SEOUL -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un clarified his strong will to achieve complete denuclearization and establish peace on the Korean peninsula through a successful summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, the South's president said Sunday.

Kim's commitment was delivered at the second inter-Korean summit Saturday in the truce village of Panmunjom that came after Trump called off his scheduled meeting with the North's reclusive leader on June 12 in Singapore. 

At Saturday's meeting held at Kim's request, the North's leader clarified his will to achieve complete denuclearization, close the history of war and confrontation, and cooperate for peace and prosperity through the success of the summit, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said in a televised news conference.

Kim agreed to eliminate any misunderstanding through direct communication with Trump and to hold enough prior dialogue on agenda issues as both leaders sincerely wish for the success of their summit, Moon said.

"Our journey towards denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and a permanent peace regime can never be stopped," Moon said, adding that Trump also conveyed his strong will to end hostile relations between the two countries and push for economic cooperation if Kim realizes denuclearization.

Moon said the second meeting in Panmunjom was aimed at reviving the canceled summit in Singapore, which is "absolutely" needed to improve inter-Korean ties.

"I believe whether the June 12 North Korea-U.S. summit will be disrupted or succeed depends on how successfully they complete their working-level negotiations," he said, adding he expected such negotiations to soon commence.

In their first summit on April 27, Moon and Kim agreed to push for a peace treaty that would put an official end to the 1950-53 Korean War, and halt all hostile acts against each other, among other things.

However, Pyongyang suddenly changed its stance, calling off scheduled inter-Korean talks, and showed displeasure with Washington's demands for it called swift and unilateral action. Kim appeared to have favored phased and synchronous steps that triggered suspicions among U.S. officials about Pyongyang's true intentions.

At their second meeting, the two leaders agreed to meet and communicate frequently, Moon said, adding that the two sides would hold stalled high-level talks on June 1, followed by military talks on easing cross-border tensions as well as Red Cross talks on reunions of families separated by the division of the Korean peninsula.

"The road to complete denuclearization and peace on the Korean peninsula will never be smooth," Moon said, praising the shutdown of North Korea's nuclear test site and the suspension of its missile and nuclear tests as a first crucial step towards peace.

Trump is ready to provide a security guarantee and economic help if North Korea achieve denuclearization, but Kim was not sure of Trump's commitment due to lack of direct dialogue, Moon said. "Therefore, I urge the two countries to communicate and confirm their will through direct channels."

Kim was worried that once North Korea realizes denuclearization, the United States can give a firm and trustful pledge to end hostilities and guarantee the regime's security, Moon said, suggesting Pyongyang and Washington should confirm their will through direct talks because there is a different roadmap over how to achieve denuclearization.

President Moon expressed his hope that a declaration on ending the status of war on the Korean peninsula will be done at a three-way summit involving the two Koreas and the United States.


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