South Korea Races Against Time to Foster Nuclear Talks

South Korean President Moon Jae-in voiced optimism on Tuesday that improving inter-Korean relations can foster denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S.

Moon described Monday’s meeting in Pyongyang between South Korean special envoy and National Security Office head Chung Eui-yong and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as the beginning of a broader diplomatic process.

"We started our journey for peace and prosperity with the confidence that we can make denuclearization and establish peace on the Korean peninsula with our own efforts," said President Moon while speaking to the Korea Military Academy’s graduation ceremony.

After meeting with Moon, the special envoy will travel to Washington to brief U.S. officials.

KCNA, The North Korean official news agency, described the bilateral meeting in very positive terms, saying Kim Jong Un voiced his "firm will to vigorously advance" inter-Korean ties, that the participants discussed "easing the acute military tensions on the Korean Peninsula" and that they "made a satisfactory agreement." An official in Seoul’s presidential Blue House said the "agreement" was referring to plans for a leaders summit and not talks with the U.S.

The cordial North Korean reception for the diplomatic envoy from Seoul was seen as a courteous response to South Korea’s hosting of the North’s delegation during the PyeongChang Olympics. The opening ceremony delegation included Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader. During her visit to Seoul, Kim conveyed an invitation to Moon to visit Pyongyang for a summit with her brother.




Source: voanews


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