N. Korea leader rules out US troop pullout
By Yi Whan-woo
For many South Korean conservatives, talks over a declaration of an end to the 1950-53 Korean War has raised concerns over the possible pullout of U.S. troops stationed here as repeatedly demanded by North Korea, and the weakening of the bilateral alliance.
So it was surprising that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un downplayed such concerns when President Moon Jae-in's special envoys made a one-day visit to Pyongyang, Wednesday, to discuss a summit this month.
"Chairman Kim said the withdrawal of the American military and the weakening of the Seoul-Washington alliance will have nothing to do with a declaration ending the Korean War," National Security Office (NSO) chief Chung Eu-yong said during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. "This was what he thought of the nature of the declaration when we asked him."
Chung, who led the five-member delegation to the North, also said Kim was fully aware of the security concerns raised by groups of American and South Koreans over talks to end the war.
North Korea has for decades been calling for the withdrawal of American soldiers, claiming their presence hampered the creation of peace on the peninsula.
But the rhetoric was long perceived by conservatives as a tactic to provoke another war and invade the South.
According to Chung, Kim is committed to denuclearization as he agreed to during his summits with President Moon Jae-in, April 27, and with U.S. President Donald Trump, June 12.
"Our government, in line with an agreement reached between the two leaders on April 27, deems the declaration of the end of the war as the first step to build trust among the related countries. And Kim sympathized with us during our Pyongyang trip," Chung said.
Chung's briefing challenged suspicions that North Korea will not give up nuclear weapons even after the war is declared over, and will continue to pose a threat to regional security.
"Chairman Kim spoke about the international community being harsh on Pyongyang's denuclearization efforts, which he said were concrete and meaningful." Chung said.
He referred to North Korea's destruction of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in May, and U.S. satellite imagery in July showing the dismantlement of its Tonchang-ri missile test site.
"Kim stressed the North is taking preemptive measures for denuclearization and expressed hope that such good will gestures would be accepted in good faith," the NSO chief added.
Kim especially fixed the term for nuclear disarmament, saying "I hope to achieve denuclearization within the first term of President Trump, to end the history of North Korea-U.S. hostility and to improve bilateral relations."
Trump's presidential term ends in January 2021.
Kim also said he has "unwavering faith" in Trump. In response, the U.S. president tweeted, Thursday, "Thank you Chairman Kim. We will get it done together!"
Meanwhile, Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said Friday the leaders of South Korea and the U.S. are "on the same track" on the need to speed up the denuclearization of the peninsula and the establishment of peace.
"With North Korea's message delivered to the U.S, we now expect President Trump and other relevant decision makers to deal with the matter earnestly and take measures accordingly."
He added Moon will send NSO chief Chung to China, Saturday, and National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon to Japan, Monday, to brief their respective leaders on the Pyongyang visit.
Suh jointly led the South Korean delegation to North Korea this week.
For many South Korean conservatives, talks over a declaration of an end to the 1950-53 Korean War has raised concerns over the possible pullout of U.S. troops stationed here as repeatedly demanded by North Korea, and the weakening of the bilateral alliance.
So it was surprising that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un downplayed such concerns when President Moon Jae-in's special envoys made a one-day visit to Pyongyang, Wednesday, to discuss a summit this month.
"Chairman Kim said the withdrawal of the American military and the weakening of the Seoul-Washington alliance will have nothing to do with a declaration ending the Korean War," National Security Office (NSO) chief Chung Eu-yong said during a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. "This was what he thought of the nature of the declaration when we asked him."
Chung, who led the five-member delegation to the North, also said Kim was fully aware of the security concerns raised by groups of American and South Koreans over talks to end the war.
North Korea has for decades been calling for the withdrawal of American soldiers, claiming their presence hampered the creation of peace on the peninsula.
But the rhetoric was long perceived by conservatives as a tactic to provoke another war and invade the South.
According to Chung, Kim is committed to denuclearization as he agreed to during his summits with President Moon Jae-in, April 27, and with U.S. President Donald Trump, June 12.
"Our government, in line with an agreement reached between the two leaders on April 27, deems the declaration of the end of the war as the first step to build trust among the related countries. And Kim sympathized with us during our Pyongyang trip," Chung said.
Chung's briefing challenged suspicions that North Korea will not give up nuclear weapons even after the war is declared over, and will continue to pose a threat to regional security.
"Chairman Kim spoke about the international community being harsh on Pyongyang's denuclearization efforts, which he said were concrete and meaningful." Chung said.
He referred to North Korea's destruction of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in May, and U.S. satellite imagery in July showing the dismantlement of its Tonchang-ri missile test site.
"Kim stressed the North is taking preemptive measures for denuclearization and expressed hope that such good will gestures would be accepted in good faith," the NSO chief added.
Kim especially fixed the term for nuclear disarmament, saying "I hope to achieve denuclearization within the first term of President Trump, to end the history of North Korea-U.S. hostility and to improve bilateral relations."
Trump's presidential term ends in January 2021.
Kim also said he has "unwavering faith" in Trump. In response, the U.S. president tweeted, Thursday, "Thank you Chairman Kim. We will get it done together!"
Meanwhile, Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said Friday the leaders of South Korea and the U.S. are "on the same track" on the need to speed up the denuclearization of the peninsula and the establishment of peace.
"With North Korea's message delivered to the U.S, we now expect President Trump and other relevant decision makers to deal with the matter earnestly and take measures accordingly."
He added Moon will send NSO chief Chung to China, Saturday, and National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon to Japan, Monday, to brief their respective leaders on the Pyongyang visit.
Suh jointly led the South Korean delegation to North Korea this week.
(责任编辑:新闻中心)
相关内容
- [Exclusive] Samsung unsure of Suga's future as brand ambassador: source
- My MySpace scene kid phase broke me and I never want to be cool again
- Amber Tamblyn confronts male ‘redemption’ after sexual misconduct in ‘NYT’ op
- ‘Grosjean crash has provided important lessons’
- Upgrade Your Monitor, Not Your GPU
- A Barbie flip phone is here from HMD
- The hell of Trump's Twitter mentions and his choice of retweets
- Moon to ask Europe to ease sanctions on NK
- Main opposition leader apologizes for two ex
- 9 Planetariums to Get Lost in the Cosmos
- All the Charlottesville conspiracy theories from Trump's Friends in the lunatic fringe.
- Main opposition leader apologizes for two ex
- Batman prequel 'Pennyworth' is worth your time: Review
推荐文章
-
21 College and University Museums
University campuses have no shortage of knowledge—from eclectic libraries filled to the brim with ra ...[详细] -
The 50 best iPhone games, ever
Even if you're a dedicated console or PC gamer, chances are you've downloaded a mobile game to stay ...[详细] -
Gmail will start using AI to fix your shoddy grammar
Google will soon improve Gmail's grammar correction with the help of artificial intelligence, the co ...[详细] -
Turns out, not many people change their minds because of something they see on social media
Think your political rants on Facebook or Twitter are persuasive enough to get other people to chang ...[详细] -
近日,雅安市首届“文轩教育”校园足球精英夏令营顺利闭营。活动以市级联赛冠军队伍为班底,精英选手作为补充,遴选120名足球运动员、30名领队教练员参与,活动为期6天,共设置6个组别。市教育局相关负责人介 ...[详细]
-
Seoul receives first measurable snowfall of season
Jogye Temple, the headquarters of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in central Seoul, is covered wi ...[详细] -
North Korea goes all out to boost tourism
The Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist district is seen in this May file photo. KCNA-YonhapBy Jung Da-minN ...[详细] -
Seoul receives first measurable snowfall of season
Jogye Temple, the headquarters of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in central Seoul, is covered wi ...[详细] -
PS5 Pro: It looks like a sketch of the design just leaked
After a few quiet months, rumors about Sony's alleged upcoming "PS5 Pro" console are flooding the in ...[详细] -
North Korea says 'Peace possible, but only if US ends hostility' [PHOTOS]
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho addresses the 73rd United Nations General Assembly on Septe ...[详细]
热点阅读
随机内容