Kim Jong-un offers conditional denuclearization

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Mon, April 23, 2018 | 22:47

Politics

Kim Jong-un offers conditional denuclearization

Posted : 2018-03-28 17:54

Updated : 2018-03-29 10:08

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Wednesday. / Reuters-Yonhap

By Lee Min-hyung

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un offered to give up his nuclear weapons during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing if Seoul and Washington take "phased" steps for peace and stability, according to Chinese media reports.

"We voluntarily offered dialogue to the South and the United States, and have since taken appropriate steps to ease tension on the peninsula," Kim was quoted as saying during the summit by China Central Television (CCTV) and Xinhua News Agency, Wednesday. Kim returned to Pyongyang the same day after a four-day visit to Beijing

"Once the U.S. and South Korea take phased and simultaneous measures in response to our peace efforts, the issue of denuclearization of the peninsula can be resolved," the young dictator said.

The remarks came after Xi expressed words of encouragement for the ongoing peace gestures from Pyongyang. Starting this year, North Korea has suspended its missile and nuclear tests, delivering its strong determination for building peace on the peninsula by offering to hold talks with Presidents Moon Jae-in and Donald Trump.

Xi said China is fully supportive of the ongoing thaw in inter-Korean relations. The Chinese leader also pledged to join hands with Kim to build lasting peace on the peninsula.

This is the first time Kim has taken an overseas trip since taking power in 2011. His Beijing visit and the summit were conducted under tight security.

For the meeting with Xi, Kim was accompanied by his wife, Ri Sol-ju, and a group of high-ranking officials. They included Choe Ryong-hae, vice chairman of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, and the regime's national intelligence head, Kim Yong-chol.

The summit came amid frayed Beijing-Pyongyang relations in the wake of China's participation in the international drive to impose intensifying sanctions on the North over its nuclear weapons programs.

Cheong Wa Dae did not specify details of the dialogue between Kim and Xi. The presidential office said Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi will visit Seoul, Thursday, to share information on the summit.

President Moon's senior presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan said: "Yang will visit South Korea and plans to have dinner with National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong, Thursday."

Yang is also expected to meet with Moon, Friday, when both sides will likely share details on their roles for resolving the issue of North Korea's denuclearization.

NK reports on summit

The Korea Central News Agency (KCNA), the regime's propaganda mouthpiece, also reported on the Beijing-Pyongyang summit.

"For four days from Sunday, Kim paid an informal visit to China upon Xi's invitation," the KCNA said Wednesday morning.

Kim took a train to Beijing. On Monday, a green train with yellow stripes, which looked similar to the one his father, Kim Jong-il, used to take before passing away, was seen pulling into a station in Beijing. The train is known to have carried Kim and the special delegation to the Chinese capital.

After arriving in Beijing, Kim and Ri transferred to a sedan. A convoy of vehicles carrying the North Korean delegation was escorted by 21 motorcycles before reaching the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, according to the KCNA.

They then made their way to the summit venue, the Great Hall of the People, located on the western edge of Tiananmen Square where Xi welcomed Kim.

Chinese media also reported Kim went to Zhongguancun, known as the "Silicon Valley of China," Tuesday.

The KCNA also said Kim and Xi will meet again in Pyongyang shortly.

"Kim Jong-un invited Xi to visit Pyongyang at the latter's convenience, with Xi accepting the invitation," the state-run media said.

mhlee@ktimes.com