Donald Trump gives his ‘blessing’ for South and North Korea to end their 68-year war next week
Trump made the remarks during a meeting with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. The South and North Korean leaders may announce peace next week, according to a South Korean official quoted in a Seoul paper
The 68-year war between South and North Korea may come to an official end next week, as the countries’ leaders are reportedly planning to make a joint statement calling for peace – with the approval of US President Donald Trump.
On Tuesday, during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump told reporters that he had given his assent for South Korea to end the military conflict, which began in 1950 and has technically continued since a 1953 truce was signed.
“They do have my blessing to discuss the end of the war,” Trump said. He added: “Without us and without me, in particular, I guess you would have to say, they wouldn’t be discussing anything.”
The US-led UN command, China and North Korea are signatories to the accord. More than 30,000 Americans died in the war.
And that end may come next week, during a meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, according to the South Korean Munhwa Ilbo newspaper.
The two leaders may release a joint statement saying they will work to technically bring the war to an end, the paper said, citing an unidentified South Korean official.