South Korea’s envoy has confirmed the ‘milestone’ meeting after relaying the message from Pyongyang to the White House
Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un have agreed to meet each other by the end of May.
The historic summit will focus on North Korea’s “commitment to denuclearise.”
The announcement, made at the White House by South Korea’s national security adviser, Chung Eui-yong, quoted Mr Trump as saying that he would meet the North Korean leader by May.
Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time. Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached. Meeting being planned!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 9, 2018
South Korea’s diplomat carried the invite and relayed a personal message from Mr Kim to the President.
South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in said the news “came like a miracle”.
“If President Trump and Chairman Kim meet following an inter-Korean summit, complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula will be put on the right track in earnest.”
It comes as relations between the nations have thawed significantly, Kim having promised to suspend nuclear and ballistic missile tests and to conduct talks aimed at denuclearisation.
The development is still stunning, following months of mutual hostility and insult-trading by the long-standing enemies.
The South Korean delegation had met North Korea’s leader in Pyongyang on Monday. In a hastily arranged press statement outside the White House to make the announcement, Chung praised Trump’s “leadership.”
“I told President Trump that in our meeting, the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, said he is committed to denuclearisation,” Chung said. “Kim Jong-un pledged that North Korea will refrain from any further nuclear or missile tests. He understands the routine joint military exercises between the Republic of Korea and the United States must continue.”
He said that Kim had “expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible.”
“President Trump appreciated the briefing and said he would meet Kim Jong-un by May to achieve permanent denuclearisation.”
There have been no significant negotiations between the US and North Korea since 2012.
March 2018: Kim Jong-un and President Trump agree to meet and discuss nuclear disarmament
May 2018:pic.twitter.com/34qYcz1o5O
— PoliticsJOE (@PoliticsJOE_UK) March 9, 2018
