North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed this week his “unequivocal commitment” to working with the United States and completely denuclearizing the region, reports Bloomberg.
Kim pledged his commitment to cooperating with President Trump during high-stakes negotiations with his South Korean counterparts Thursday, saying he hopes to “achieve denuclearization” in the near future.
Kim Jong Un signals a willingness to revive stalled nuclear talks https://t.co/ojtfRGdftH
— Bloomberg (@business) September 6, 2018
The President hailed Kim’s comments on social media within minutes of the announcement, saying “Kim Jong Un of North Korea proclaims ‘unwavering faith in President Trump.’ Thank you to Chairman Kim. We will get it done together!”
Kim Jong Un of North Korea proclaims “unwavering faith in President Trump.” Thank you to Chairman Kim. We will get it done together!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2018
The President abruptly canceled a US-North Korean summit last month after he accused Kim’s regime of stonewalling the negotiations; scrapping Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to the Hermit Kingdom.
SUMMIT SUSPENDED: The President CANCELS North Korea Talks, Cites ‘Insufficient Progress’
President Trump abruptly canceled Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s trip to North Korea Friday; blaming the suspension of negotiations on a lack of “progress” towards the denuclearization of the region.
The Commander-in-Chief unveiled his decision on social media Friday afternoon, saying “I have asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to go to North Korea, at this time, because I feel we are not making sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”
“Additionally, because of our much tougher Trading stance with China, I do not believe they are helping with the process of denuclearization as they once were (despite the UN Sanctions which are in place). Secretary Pompeo looks forward to going to North Korea in the near future, most likely after our Trading relationship with China is resolved. In the meantime I would like to send my warmest regards and respect to Chairman Kim. I look forward to seeing him soon!” he added.
I have asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to go to North Korea, at this time, because I feel we are not making sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2018
…Secretary Pompeo looks forward to going to North Korea in the near future, most likely after our Trading relationship with China is resolved. In the meantime I would like to send my warmest regards and respect to Chairman Kim. I look forward to seeing him soon!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2018
Pompeo was set to travel to the region as early as next week to advance the administration’s goal of the complete denuclearization of Kim’s regime.
DOOMSDAY BACK ON? Kim SLAMS ‘Ignorant and Incompetent’ South Korea
North Korean officials directly rebuked South Korea’s offer to help “broker” the high-stakes summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un Thursday; slamming their southern neighbors as “ignorant and incompetent.”
According to the New York Post, the Chairman of North Korea’s Reunification Committee harshly rejected Seoul’s suggestion that South Korea help “mediate” the upcoming meeting between US and Korean officials.
“On this opportunity, the present south Korean authorities have been clearly proven to be an ignorant and incompetent group devoid of the elementary sense of the present situation,” said a written statement from Chairman Ri Son Gwon.
“Unless the serious situation which led to the suspension of the north-south high-level talks is settled, it will never be easy to sit face to face again with the present regime of south Korea,” it added.
North Korean officials suddenly cut-off communications with South Korea and threatened to withdraw from the upcoming summit earlier this week; accusing the United States of practicing “invasion” drills during a joint military exercise.