North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week from Sunday to Wednesday, his first known trip abroad since he came to power in 2011 and his first meeting with another head of state.
Mr Kim told Mr Xi the situation on the Korean peninsula was “starting to get better”. He said: “It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearisation on the peninsula, in accordance with the will of late President Kim Il-sung and late General Secretary Kim Jong-il.”
He also quoted: “The issue of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realisation of peace.”
Mr Trump announced this month he would grant a meeting to the North Korean leader, after South Korean officials said Mr Kim was willing to discuss giving up his arsenal.
Recent months have seen tensions ease, and South and North Korean athletes marched under a unified flag at the Pyeongchang winter Olympics last month.
Kim is hoped to meet with the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, in April and hold a summit with the US president, Donald Trump, possibly in May. On his visit to Beijing, Kim reportedly said he was willing to “have dialogue” with the US.
On Wednesday morning Trump tweeted that Xi had sent him a message on Tuesday where he wrote that the visit had gone very well and that Kim was waiting to meet him soon. “In the meantime, and unfortunately, maximum sanctions and pressure must be maintained at all cost,” Trump wrote.
> Shiuly Akter
China Confirms Kim Jong-un’s Unofficial Visit to Beijing
Will You Support Our Work?
People turns to WhatsOn to understand what's goingOn? We have been empowering through hope & understanding for the last forty years. We’re an independent social enterprise & our journalism is powered by our supporters. Financial contributions from our readers allows us to keep our journalism free for all & to change the world for better. Please support us, with your donation - no matter how small. Your donation makes a real difference, it empowers our activist & academy, and engages wider community groups, & universities - connecting more people. WhatsOn is a change maker, let’s get our future back together!
