China says Kim committed to denuclearisation, US meeting
CONFIRMS SECRET TRIP North Korean leader shows unity with Xi on first foreign trip BEIJING/SEOUL:
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged his commitment to denuclearisation and to meet US officials, China said on Wednesday after his meeting with President Xi Jinping, who promised China would uphold friendship with its isolated neighbour.
After two days of speculation, China and North Korea both confirmed that Kim had travelled to Beijing and met Xi during what China called an unofficial visit from Sunday to Wednesday.
The visit was Kim’s first known trip outside North Korea since he assumed power in 2011.
China has traditionally been secretive North Korea’s closest ally but ties have been frayed by its pursuit of nuclear weapons and China’s backing of tough UN sanctions in response.
China’s foreign ministry cited Kim in a lengthy statement as telling Xi the situation on the Korean peninsula was starting to improve because North Korea had taken the initiative to ease tension and put forward proposals for talks.
“It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearisation on the peninsula,” Kim Jong Un said, according to the ministry.
North Korea was willing to talk with the United States and hold a summit between the two countries, he said.
“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,” Kim said.