Kim talks ‘denuclearisation’

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged his commitment to “denuclearisation” and to meet US officials, China said yesterday after his meeting with President Xi Jinping, who promised that China would uphold its 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 until yesterday.

The visit was Kim’s first known trip outside North Korea since he assumed power in 2011 and is believed by analysts to serve as preparation for upcoming summits with South Korea and the United States.

US President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter that he had received a message from Xi on Tuesday night that his meeting with Kim “went very well” and that Kim looked forward to meeting the US president.

“Look forward to our meeting!” Trump wrote, adding: “In the meantime, and unfortunately, maximum sanctions and pressure must be maintained at all cost.”

China has traditionally been secretive North Korea’s closest ally, but ties have been frayed by Kim’s nuclear weapons programme and Beijing’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 the tension and put forward proposals for talks.

“It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearisation on the peninsula,” Kim Jong-un said.