Sweden says ‘we don’t think we can solve world’s problems’ after meeting with North Korea on denuclearisation
The European country has long-standing ties with the reclusive Asian nation. Its diplomatic mission in Pyongyang, which opened in 1975, was the first Western embassy established in the country
North Korea’s foreign minister held talks in Stockholm with Swedish leader Stefan Lofven on Friday amid reports Sweden could play a role in setting up a proposed summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.
“They had a meeting. We will not disclose what they talked about,” said Lofven’s spokesman Jonatan Holst.
Ri Yong-ho arrived in the Swedish capital on Thursday evening with Choe Kang-il, deputy director general of the foreign ministry’s North America section.
Ri held talks late on Thursday with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom, discussions that according to Swedish officials were to focus on the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and a possible Trump-Kim summit. The talks were to continue on Friday.
“Right now, dialogue is needed and we are happy to have this meeting. But we’re not naive, we don’t think we can solve the world’s problems. It is up the parties to decide how to move forward,” Wallstrom told Swedish media in parliament on Friday.
