Kim Sets Condition For Dismantling Nuclear Site
After the second day of the three-day summit talks held in Pyongyang, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced a sweeping set of agreements on Wednesday.
One of the key points is Kim Jong Un’s promise to dismantle permanently the main nuclear site at Nyongbyon on the condition that United States would undertake corresponding measures.
North Korea has been demanding a formal declaration to the end of the Korean War, which was halted in 1953 by a ceasefire, but neither leader mentioned it as they read the joint statement.
Kim also agreed to dismantle a missile engine test site and launch pad in the presence of international inspectors.
The two leaders also vowed to work together in order to host 2032 Summer Olympics. Moon announced that Kim will try to visit South Korea before the year ends.
At the guest house where President Moon Jae-in resided while in Pyongyang, Kim said with Moon by his side:
“We have agreed to make the Korean Peninsula a land of peace that is free from nuclear weapons and nuclear threat. The road to our future will not always be smooth and we may face challenges and trials we can’t anticipate.
“But we aren’t afraid of headwinds because our strength will grow as we overcome each trial based on the strength of our nation.”
Kim personally welcomed South Korean leader at Pyongyang’s airport – an unprecedented gesture, then rode into town with Moon riding in an open limousine through streets lined with locals who cheered and waved the country’s flag which symbolizes unity.
Before the meeting commenced on Tuesday, Kim expressed his gratitude to Moon for brokering the June summit with United States president Donald Trump.
“It’s not too much to say that it’s Moon’s efforts that arranged a historic North Korea-U.S. summit. Because of that, the regional political situation has been stabilized and more progress on North Korea-U.S. ties is expected,” Kim said, according to South Korean media pool reports and Moon’s office.
So how will U.S. President Donald Trump respond to Kim’s condition? Months before the Singapore summit, Trump has consistently said, denuclearization was “non-negotiable” and not open to conditions.
Would the outspoken American President agree to the condition requested by Kim?
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