PYONGYANG: US ‘THREATS’ COULD RUIN KOREAN PEACE BID
▶ Comments may be an effort to strengthen Kim’s position ahead of historic summit with Trump
Pyongyang yesterday criticised Washington for its “pressure and military threats” as the two countries prepare for a historic summit in coming weeks.
The US policy of applying that pressure until Pyongyang gave up its nuclear weapons completely was a provocation, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
“The US is deliberately provoking the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at the time when the situation on the Korean Peninsula is moving towards peace and reconciliation,” the spokesman told North Korea’s official news agency.
He told the US not to interpret Pyongyang’s willingness to talk as a sign of weakness.
The spokesman did not explicitly mention the coming summit, and Pyongyang has yet to make any formal announcement of the planned meeting.
US President Donald Trump has said repeatedly that Washington’s tough policy towards North Korea, and pressure on its main trading partner China, have played a decisive role in turning around what had been an extremely tense situation.
But the spokesman said the claims were a “dangerous attempt” to ruin the easing of tensions on the peninsula after North Korean leader Kim Jongun last month held talks with the South’s President, Moon Jae-in.
At the summit, Mr Kim agreed on measures to improve NorthSouth relations and indicated he was willing to discuss ridding the peninsula of nuclear weapons, although what that would entail and what conditions the North would want have not been explained.
Last year, as Mr Kim was launching long-range missiles at a record pace, it would have seemed unthinkable for de-nuclearisation to be on the table.
The North’s statement yesterday seemed to be an attempt to strengthen Mr Kim’s position before his meeting with Mr Trump. Pyongyang claims Mr Kim is responsible for the improved situation. The two are expected to meet this month or in early June.
Experts are split on whether Mr Kim’s statement made with Mr Moon at the Demilitarised Zone separating the two countries was a chance for progress or a repeat of Pyongyang’s longstanding demand for security guarantees.
Tensions have run high between the Mr Trump and Mr Kim over the past year, with both trading threats of war and colourful personal insults that sparked global concern.
Before Mr Trump meets Mr Kim, Washington is hoping to gain the release of three Korean-Americans accused of anti-state activities.
Mr Trump hinted at the release of Kim Dong-chul, Kim Hak-song and Tony Kim was in the offing.
There was no sign of an imminent release yesterday, although the men had reportedly been moved to a hotel in the capital.
The White House has announced a meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Moon at the White House in Washington on May 22 to “continue their close co-ordination on developments regarding the Korean Peninsula”.
Tensions have run high between Mr Trump and Mr Kim over the past year, with them trading threats of war