Kim Jong-un says he has no plans for unilateral denuclearization

Posted on : 2018-09-11 17:42 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
North Korean leader says he’s waiting for Washington’s response on measures already taken
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Valentina Matvienko
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Valentina Matvienko

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he has no plans for unilateral denuclearization measures and is awaiting a response from the US.

The message was relayed on Sept. 10 by Russian Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko, who reported hearing it in a Sept. 8 meeting with Kim during her visit to North Korea, Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency reported. Matviyenko quoted Kim as saying that he had no plan to adopt unilateral denuclearization measures, adding that he was awaiting Washington’s response to the measures he had already taken.

Kim was further quoted as requesting Russia’s assistance in weakening the US sanctions against North Korea. Matviyenko described Kim as being “polite” and “diplomatic” toward US President Donald Trump during the Sept. 8 meeting.

Matviyenko also reported Kim as saying he may visit Russia within the year.

“Chairman Kim plans to accept President Vladimir Putin’s invitation and is prepared to visit Russia without delay in the near future according to President Putin’s schedule,” she was quoted as saying by Yonhap News, citing reports in Russian news outlets.

“We are looking forward to the visit taking place within the year,” she also reportedly said.

Speaking to reporters in Vladivostok the same day, Russian presidential aide for foreign affairs Yuri Ushakov reported Putin as confirming his intent to invite Kim in a letter delivered to the North Korean leader by Matviyenko.

“[The letter] stated [Putin’s] position with regard to resolving Korean Peninsula issues, and a message inviting [Kim] to visit Russia at a convenient time was confirmed,” Ushakov said.

Ushakov added that efforts to coordinate Kim’s visit schedule with the North Korean side had not yet begun.

By Jung E-gil, senior staff writer

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]

button that move to original korean article (클릭시 원문으로 이동하는 버튼)

Related stories

Most viewed articles