North Korea Willing To Normalize Relations With South Korea
The historic meeting between the South Korean politicians and North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, in Pyongyang made headlines around the world. It sparked speculation whether the communist regime is finally considering to end its nuclear proliferation activities.
The outcome of the two-day meeting between the long-time adversaries led to a positive result. Both sides are eager to normalize relations and willingness of the North Korean government appears willing to begin negotiations with the United States on relinquishing its nuclear weapons.
The office of President Moon Jae-in of South Korea disclosed a statement that says, “The North Korean side clearly stated its willingness to denuclearize. 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.”
The statement further says, “The North expressed its willingness to hold a heartfelt dialogue with the United States on the issues of denuclearization and normalizing relations with the United States.”
The top South Korean envoys who returned from North Korea on Tuesday included Mr. Moon’s national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, and the director of the South’s National Intelligence Service, Suh Hoon. Officials are set to be dispatched to Washington this week to brief the Trump administration on their discussions with Mr. Kim.
What’s Next?
The Korean nations agreed to install, for the first time, a hotline to reach each other directly. More round the table discussions are also set to take place at the Freedom House, a South Korean building in Panmunjom, the so-called truce village that straddles the border.
The Moon administration announced that both countries agreed to hold a summit meeting between Mr. Kim and President Moon on the countries’ border in late April, Mr. Moon’s office said in a statement.
The anticipated meeting between the two leaders would be the first since Kim came to power in 2011 after the death of his father.
Historic Invitation from the North Korean Regime
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has formally invited South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Pyongyang last month. The invitation was delivered by Kim’s younger sister Kim Yo Jong at a historic meeting between the two countries’ officials at Seoul’s presidential palace last month.
The meeting is considered the most significant diplomatic encounter between the two parties in more than a decade. The previous encounter took place in 2007.
Moon responded to the invitation positively. In fact, Moon suggested that the two countries “should accomplish this by creating the right conditions” and added talks between North Korea and the United States were also needed.
Amid the high tensions on the Korean peninsula, Moon expressed his intention to use the Winter Olympics as a chance to make diplomatic pursuits with the North and renew talks for peace, and eventually end the hostilities.
