South Korea’s Moon wants ‘irrevocable progress’ on nuclear diplomacy

Next diplomatic step is uncertain as negotiators seem deadlocked over whether North Korea truly intends to denuclearise as it has pledged numerous times in recent months

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South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 12:51pm, 7 Sep 2018Updated: 12:51pm, 7 Sep 2018

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Friday that he was pushing for “irrevocable progress” on efforts to rid North Korea of its nukes by the end of this year as he prepares for his third summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

This week, Moon sent special envoys to Pyongyang to help resolve the nuclear stalemate. After returning home, his envoys said on Thursday that Kim still has faith in US President Donald Trump and reaffirmed his commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula though Kim expressed frustration over outside scepticism about his sincerity.

Trump later responded by tweeting, “Kim Jong-un of North Korea proclaims ‘unwavering faith in President Trump.’ Thank you to Chairman Kim. We will get it done together!”

Moon said the outcome of his envoys’ Pyongyang trip was “much more than what was expected”.

Kim Jong-un with South Korean envoy Chung Eui-yong (left) in Pyongyang. Photo: AFP

The next step in nuclear diplomacy is uncertain. Negotiators seem deadlocked over whether North Korea truly intends to denuclearise as it has pledged numerous times in recent months. North Korea has dismantled its nuclear and rocket engine testing sites, but US officials want more serious, concrete action taken before North Korea obtains outside concessions.