China, UN welcome progress on peninsula

Encouraged by the advances during the latest inter-Korea talks, the United Nations and China are hopeful that relevant parties can use the developments to find a peaceful path forward. They also vowed to continue their role in pushing for peninsula denuclearization.

Chung Eui-yong, top national security adviser for Republic of Korea President Moon Jae-in, who returned from a two-day visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, told a televised news briefing on Tuesday that the DPRK expressed its willingness to talk “candidly” with the US about denuclearization and normalization of ties between Pyongyang and Washington.

“North Korea made clear its willingness to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and the fact there is no reason for it to have a nuclear program if military threats against the North are resolved and its regime is secure,” Chung said, according to a Reuters report.

The two Koreas also agreed to hold summit talks in April.

The United States responded to the development with cautious optimism, with US President Donald Trump saying on Tuesday that related statements are “very positive”, but “we’ll see how it all comes about”.

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement that he is encouraged by the progress in the latest inter-Korea talks, particularly the agreement to hold a summit meeting soon, to further reduce military tensions and to discuss denuclearization in future talks with all parties.

“Obviously, we are encouraged by these discussions,” said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. “Anything that can further reduce military tensions is welcome.”

The UN chief stressed the need to protect the momentum and seize the opportunities available to find a peaceful path forward, according to a UN statement on Tuesday. It said the secretary-general reiterates the UN commitment to further assist in the process with the governments concerned.

China also welcomes the positive outcomes of the visit of Chung’s delegation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

“We hope that all relevant parties can seize the current opportunity,” he said.

Contact the writer at huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com.