DENUCLEARISATION ON MOON’S AGENDA

S. Korean president prepares for third inter-Korean summit

DENUCLEARISATION will be high on the agenda for this week’s inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said yesterday on the eve of his third meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Moon will fly to the North Korean capital today for the latest stage in a diplomatic thaw on the peninsula, although progress has stalled in denuclearisation talks between Pyongyang and Washington.

“I’ve confirmed the sincere willingness of both Chairman Kim Jong-un and (United States) President Donald Trump on several occasions,” Moon said during a cabinet meeting.

“I plan to hold frank talks with Chairman Kim on ways to find a point of compromise between the US demand for denuclearisation and the North’s demand for ending hostile relations,” he added.

Moon, who met Kim in April and May, was instrumental in brokering the historic Singapore summit between Trump and Kim in June, when Kim backed denuclearisation of the “Korean peninsula”.

But no details were agreed and Washington and Pyongyang have sparred since over what that means and how it will be achieved.

Moon will hold two meetings with Kim, who may make a rare appearance at the airport to welcome his guests, Moon’s chief of staff Im Jong-seok said.

The president is also scheduled to attend a concert and visit key sites in the North’s capital with his delegation, which includes tycoons Lee Jae-yong, heir to the Samsung group, and the vicechairman of Hyundai Motor.