Kim leaves China as S. Korea urges ‘ concrete’ plan on nukes

BEIJING — South Korea urged North Korea on Wednesday to present a plan with concrete steps toward denuclearization, raising the pressure on its leader Kim Jong Un as he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a visit designed to convey the countries’ growing closeness.

Kim and Xi held a second day of talks at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, whose grounds China’s official Xinhua News Agency described in unusually lyrical terms as being full of “verdant greenery and splendid flowers,” adding to what the propaganda outlet said was the “close and friendly atmosphere” of the talks.

The pomp and circumstance looked geared toward showing off the major improvement in relations between the communist neighbors, along with China’s important role in keeping North Korea on track. But it cast no new light on the main question that hangs over the previously reclusive North Korean leader’s surge in diplomatic activity in recent months: What next steps, if any, will Kim take to dismantle his country’s nuclear program?

In Seoul, South Korean President Moon Jae- in urged North Korea to present actionable plans on how it will scrap its nuclear program, and for the United States to swiftly take unspecified corresponding measures.

“It’s necessary for North Korea to present far more concrete denuclearization plans, and I think it’s necessary for the United States to swiftly reciprocate by coming up with comprehensive measures,” Moon said. Moon’s office said he made the remarks to Russian media ahead of his trip to Moscow later this week.

China backs the North’s call for a “phased and synchronous” approach to denuclearization, as opposed to Washington’s demand for an instant, total and irreversible end to the North’s nuclear programs.