Kim Jong-un ready to accept inspection of N.Korean nuclear plant, adviser says
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was ready to accept the dismantlement and inspection of a highprofile nuclear plant, a South Korean presidential adviser said, suggesting a possible point of compromise in upcoming talks with President Donald Trump.
Moon Chung-in, a special adviser for foreign affairs and national security, said in an interview on Friday that the verified destruction of the regime’s Yongbyon nuclear complex was an achievable goal during Mr Trump’s planned February 27-28 summit with Mr Kim.
Mr Moon said it was his “understanding” that South Korean President Moon Jae-in got Mr Kim’s personal assurance on that when they met in Pyongyang in September. “Kim Jong-un said ‘Yes’ and will accept verification,” Moon Chung-in told Bloomberg in Seoul on Friday.
“I hope President Trump can nail it down that verification should be part of the permanent dismantling of nuclear facilities in Yongbyon.” While Mr Kim expressed a willingness to accept the “permanent dismantlement” of Yongbyon during the South Korean leader’s visit, his public statements stopped short of committing to “verification,” which would allow inspectors insight into his weapons capabilities. Moon Chung-in, who participated in the trip, declined to say where he got the information. He’s not related to the president.