NK shows it is committed to denuclearization

By Lee Min-hyung

North Korea is showing strong willingness for denuclearization, with the regime's state-run media covering Friday's inter-Korean summit and quoting directly on such sensitive terms as the reduction of the country's armed forces and denuclearization.

“The two Koreas exchanged candid opinions on the ongoing inter-Korean relations and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula,” the state-run Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday, citing a joint agreement at the summit.

This came a day after President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed a joint declaration at the summit. Under the agreement, they reached a consensus on easing military tension on the peninsula and realizing a “gradual reduction in their military forces.”

This is a rare occasion for the regime to include such sensitive terms in an agreement with South Korea and report them via its media outlets.

“The South and North also agreed to fulfill their responsibility for the denuclearization of the peninsula and shared a mutual understanding that this is a very significant and grave measure for both sides,” the KCNA said.

The young dictator of the regime also underpinned his strong determination to realize the agreement during the summit held at the southern part of the truce village of Panmunjeom.

“If we fail to fulfill the agreement, this will give a sense of disappointment to those who have expected a lot,” Kim said in his opening remarks at the summit.

President Moon's special adviser Moon Chung-in said Kim Jong-un is fully aware that the regime cannot escape from its ongoing international isolation without resolving the nuclear issues.

“Detailed steps that the regime should take for denuclearization are issues to be discussed at the upcoming summit between Kim Jong-un and United States President Donald Trump,” Moon said in an interview with Japanese media.

“Under a broad vision, Washington and Pyongyang should proceed with the plan for the regime's denuclearization at a rapid pace,” Moon said. “As of now, Washington and Beijing are joining hands to build a peace system on the peninsula to put an end to the technical war between the two sides. If the North jumps on the same bandwagon, the vision can be achieved.”

Trump and Kim are set to hold their first-ever summit in late May or early June, with both sides still deciding on the exact time and venue for the summit.