U.S. praises North Korea’s offer to shutter missile site
BEIJING — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered Wednesday to shut down a nuclear missile testing and launch site in a development welcomed by President Donald Trump, raising hopes of a second meeting between the two leaders in the quest for a long-sought Korean Peninsula denuclearization deal.
Mr. Kim made the offer to close down the Dongchangri missile testing center and launch pad at a summit in Pyongyang with South Korean President Moon Jaein. The two signed an agreement to “eliminate all danger” of war on the Korean Peninsula, recommitting to the denuclearization of the peninsula.
Mr. Kim also agreed to close down the Yongbyon nuclear facility, the first time such an offer has been made by North Korea — but only if the U.S. offers reciprocal rewards. Washington expects North Korea to dismantle its nuclear facilities — in a verifiable manner — before concessions are made.
Mr. Kim agreed that international experts would be present to observe the dismantling of the Dongchangri facilities.
While some experts suggested Mr. Kim was giving up facilities no longer important to him, given North Korea’s development of nuclear missiles, Mr. Trump’s instantaneous positive reaction on Twitter kept the door open to a possible new summit with Mr. Kim.
Mr. Kim last week requested a second summit, after the first meeting in Singapore in June, the first between U.S. and North Korean leaders. U.S. officials last week said preparations were underway for a second meeting.
A second summit may hinge on a meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Moon expected next week, where Mr. Moon is to brief Mr. Trump on his summit with Mr. Kim.
Calling the developments “very exciting,” Mr. Trump tweeted Wednesday that “Kim Jong Un has agreed to allow Nuclear inspections, subject to final negotiations, and to permanently dismantle a test site and launch pad in the presence of international experts. In the meantime there will be no Rocket or Nuclear testing.” He added that the remains of U.S. servicemen killed in the Korean War would continue to be returned to the U.S.
U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks stalled in recent months. Mr. Trump last month canceled a visit by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to North Korea for talks, citing lack of progress.
The leaders of the two Koreas appeared to move significantly closer at Wednesday’s meeting: Mr. Kim accepted Mr. Moon’s invitation to visit Seoul in the near future, in what would be the first visit to the country by a North Korean leader. The two countries also decided to make a joint bid to host the 2023 Olympic Games.
Mr. Kim gave Mr. Moon a welcome that was full of photo opportunities and symbolic moments. He met Mr. Moon at the airport Tuesday, and the two drove through the streets of Pyongyang in a limousine as flagwaving crowds cheered.