Kim says he hopes for ‘big outcome’ at inter-Korean summit
Big welcome for S. Korea's Moon as he starts 3-day visit to Pyongyang
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he wants to produce a "bigger outcome" as he began three days of summit talks yesterday with South Korea's President Moon Jae In aimed at rekindling stalled nuclear diplomacy.
The two leaders paraded down the streets of Pyongyang in Mr Kim's black limousine to loud cheers from nearly 100,000 North Koreans who waved flowers and chanted "Unification! Motherland!"
Earlier, Mr Kim greeted Mr Moon with hugs as he landed in the North's capital with a mission to revive momentum in faltering talks between Washington and Pyongyang over denuclearisation and advance the prospect of formally ending the Korean War.
As Mr Kim escorted Mr Moon to the Paekhwawon State Guest House, where he will stay during his visit, the North Korean leader said he wanted to produce a "bigger outcome at a faster pace" than the two leaders have achieved so far.
"You, Mr President, are travelling all around the world, but our country is humble compared with developed nations," Mr Kim told Mr Moon.
"The level of the accommodation and schedule we provide may be low, but it's our best sincerity and heart."
Mr Moon said it was "time to bear fruit" and thanked Mr Kim for his hospitality.
This week's summit, the third between Mr Moon and Mr Kim, will be a litmus test for another meeting Mr Kim has proposed to US President Donald Trump.
Mr Trump has asked Mr Moon to be "chief negotiator" between him and Mr Kim, according to Mr Moon's aides, after Mr Trump cancelled a trip to Pyongyang by his secretary of state last month.
"If North Korea-US dialogue is restarted after this visit, it would have much significance in itself," Mr Moon said before his departure.
Underscoring the challenges ahead, North Korea's official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said yesterday "the responsibility falls squarely on the US" for the stalled nuclear discussions.
"It is due to its nonsensical, irrational stubbornness that other issues can only be discussed after our country has completely verifiably, irreversibly dismantled our nuclear capabilities... without showing the intention to build trust including declaring the end of war," it said in an editorial.
Today, Mr Moon and Mr Kim plan to hold a second round of officials talks after which they are expected to unveil a joint statement and a separate military pact designed to defuse tensions and prevent armed clashes. - REUTERS
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
