Seoul: North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has told South Korean envoys that he is willing to begin negotiations with the United States on abandoning its nuclear weapons and that it would suspend all nuclear and missile tests while engaged in such talks, South Korean officials said.
US President Donald Trump reacted with guarded optimism to the news, which potentially represented a major defusing of one of the world’s most tense confrontations, while China said it hoped that the two Koreas can continue their efforts to advance reconciliation.
During the envoys’ visit to Pyongyang the two Koreas also agreed to hold a summit meeting between Kim and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea on the countries’ border in late April.
“The North Korean side clearly stated its willingness to de-nuclearise,” the statement said. “It made it clear that it would have no reason to keep nuclear weapons if the military threat to the North was eliminated and its security guaranteed.”
If the statement is corroborated by North Korea, it would be the first time Kim has indicated that his government is willing to discuss giving up nuclear weapons in return for security guarantees from the US. Until now, the North has said its nuclear weapons were not for bargaining away.
“The North expressed its willingness to hold a heartfelt dialogue with the United States on the issues of de-nuclearisation and normalising relations with the US,” the statement said. “It made it clear that while dialogue is continuing, it will not attempt any strategic provocations, such as nuclear and ballistic missile tests.”
Trump welcomed what he called “possible progress” with the North. “For the first time in many years, a serious effort is being made by all parties concerned,” Trump said. “The World is watching and waiting! May be false hope, but the US is ready to go hard in either direction!”
The cautious American reaction partly reflected a history of suspicion toward the motives of North Korea, which has remained an enemy of the United States since the 1950-53 Korean War.
The South Korean statement said that the two Koreas would begin working-level discussions to prepare for the summit meeting, to be held in the Peace House, a South Korean building in Panmunjom, the so-called truce village that straddles the border. Before Kim and Moon meet, the countries will install, for the first time, a hotline by which the leaders can talk on phone directly.
