Donald Trump Pleased by North Korea Denuclearization Developments

Trump and Kim: the rocky road from taunts to talks
AFP
Charlie Spiering

President Donald Trump signaled interest Wednesday in North Korea’s offer to dismantle a nuclear test site as part of ongoing negotiations with the United States.

“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,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “In the meantime, there will be no Rocket or Nuclear testing.”

The North Korean dictator offered to dismantle the Yongbyon facilities, essentially freezing production of nuclear weapons, but did not address plans to deconstruct the existing arsenal.

The United States has demanded total denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in exchange for a lift in economic sanctions.

President Moon Jae-in of South Korea and Kim met in Pyongyang, North Korea on Wednesday to discuss ongoing peace negotiations.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Trump reminded the world that the two countries were close to war. but that his personal diplomacy with Kim had resulted in “tremendous progress.”

“The relationships, I have to tell you, at least on a personal basis, they’re very good.  It’s very much calmed down,” he told reporters as he left the White House.

He did not confirm that the United States was willing to lift sanctions on North Korea.

“We’ll see,” he said. “But in the meantime, we’re talking.  It’s very calm. He’s calm; I’m calm.  So we’ll see what happens.”

On Twitter, Trump noted that both North and South Korea would file a joint bid to host the 2032 Olympics.

“Very exciting!” he wrote.

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