North Korea tells US it will discuss de-nuclearisation
Katrina Manson in Washington 24 minutes ago
North Korea has said it is willing to discuss de-nuclearisation with the US, a Trump administration official said on Sunday, increasing the chances of an unprecedented summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and the US president.
South Korean officials had told Donald Trump that Mr Kim was willing to meet him to discuss de-nuclearisation, but the administration comments on Sunday mark the first time the US has officially confirmed the information with North Korea itself.
“I confirm that the United States and North Korea have been holding talks in preparation for a summit, and that North Korea has confirmed its willingness to talk about de-nuclearisation,” a National Security Council spokesperson told the FT.
The spokesperson would not say who had met with North Korea officials, describing the details as internal US preparations, but added that “a comprehensive, whole-of-government effort in support of the president is actively under way”.
The US, which has maintained back-channel lines of communication with North Korean officials, has accelerated efforts to prepare a summit in earnest since Mr Trump unexpectedly agreed to meet Mr Kim.
Cliff Kupchan, chairman of Eurasia Group risk consultancy, said North Korea’s reported commitment to discuss “de-nuclearisation” significantly increases the chances that Mr Trump will meet Mr Kim. However, he added that it does not make a positive outcome more likely.
“We don’t know what Pyongyang means by the term, and they’ve got a record of backtracking on commitments,” said Mr Kupchan. “This prospective encounter is still a minefield for President Trump.”
Chung Eui-yong, South Korea’s national security director, announced last month outside the White House that US-North Korea talks were possible.
“President Trump . . . said he would meet Kim by May to achieve permanent de-nuclearisation,” Mr Chung told reporters after meeting with US officials.
Mr Trump later hailed the breakthrough but cautioned that the policy of putting pressure on Pyongyang would stay in place.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report that the North Korea had confirmed its intent to discuss de-nuclearisation.
“I confirm that the United States and North Korea have been holding talks in preparation for a summit, and that North Korea has confirmed its willingness to talk about de-nuclearisation,” a National Security Council spokesperson told the FT.
The spokesperson would not say who had met with North Korea officials, describing the details as internal US preparations, but added that “a comprehensive, whole-of-government effort in support of the president is actively under way”.
The US, which has maintained back-channel lines of communication with North Korean officials, has accelerated efforts to prepare a summit in earnest since Mr Trump unexpectedly agreed to meet Mr Kim.
“We don’t know what Pyongyang means by the term, and they’ve got a record of backtracking on commitments,” said Mr Kupchan. “This prospective encounter is still a minefield for President Trump.”
Chung Eui-yong, South Korea’s national security director, announced last month outside the White House that US-North Korea talks were possible.
“President Trump . . . said he would meet Kim by May to achieve permanent de-nuclearisation,” Mr Chung told reporters after meeting with US officials.
Mr Trump later hailed the breakthrough but cautioned that the policy of putting pressure on Pyongyang would stay in place.
The Wall Street Journal was the first to report that the North Korea had confirmed its intent to discuss de-nuclearisation.
No comments:
Post a Comment