BEIJING/SEOUL – North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made unprecedentedannouncement during his first ever foreign visit to China.
He has pledged to denuclearise and meet US officials, China said onWednesday after an historic meeting with President Xi Jinping, who promisedChina would uphold its friendship with its isolated neighbour.
After two days of speculation, China and North Korea both confirmed thatKim had visited Beijing and met Xi during what China’s Foreign Ministrycalled an unofficial visit to China from Sunday to Wednesday.
The China visit was Kim’s first known trip outside North Korea since heassumed power in 2011 and is believed by analysts to serve as preparationfor upcoming summits with South Korea and the United States.
North Korea’s KCNA news agency made no mention of Kim’s pledge todenuclearise, or his anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trumpthat is planned for some time in May.
Beijing has traditionally been the closest ally of secretive North Korea,but ties have been frayed by Pyongyang’s pursuit of nuclear weapons andChina’s backing of tough UN sanctions in response.
China’s Foreign Ministry cited Kim in a lengthy statement as telling Xithat the situation on the Korean peninsula was starting to improve becauseNorth Korea had taken the initiative to ease tensions and put forwardproposals for peace talks.
“It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearisation on thepeninsula, in accordance with the will of late President Kim Il Sung andlate General Secretary Kim Jong Il,” Kim Jong Un said, according to thestatement.
North Korea is willing to talk with the United States and hold a summitbetween the two countries, he said.
“The issue of denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, ifSouth Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill,create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive andsynchronous measures for the realisation of peace,” Kim said. – Agencies