North Korea will denuclearise if security guaranteed, says South
North’s leader Kim Jong-un has agreed to hold a landmark summit with South’s president Moon Jae-in in April and stop nuclear and missile tests if his country holds talks with the US
Throughout years of tension and tough talk over North Korea’s nuclear programme, Pyongyang has always insisted its “treasured sword” is not up for negotiation. But now it says it is willing to abandon nuclear weapons if the security of its government is guaranteed, Seoul’s envoy said on Tuesday after meeting the North’s leader Kim Jong-un.
“The North made clear its willingness for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, and made clear that there is no reason to own nuclear [programmes] if military threats towards the North are cleared and the security of its government is guaranteed,” said Chung Eui-yong, national security adviser to South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
US President Donald Trump responded to news of the talks in a relatively positive tweet: “Possible progress being made in talks with North Korea. For the first time in many years, a serious effort is being made by all parties concerned. The World is watching and waiting! May be false hope, but the U.S. is ready to go hard in either direction!”
US intelligence officials were also cautious to accept Pyongyang’s willingness to talk.
