Trump: DPRK opening for nuclear talks could be progress or false hope

World Today

Trump: DPRK opening for nuclear talks could be progress or false hope

The U.S. has welcomed the agreement by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea to hold talks aimed at resolving the nuclear crisis.

But Washington has previously insisted on preconditions that threaten to complicate a small but hugely significant diplomatic breakthrough. CGTN’s Owen Fairclough has more.

It was a handshake the world needed – Democratic People’s Republic of Korea leader Kim Jong Un receiving a delegation from neighboring Republic of Korea to begin talks aimed at resolving a crisis that’s teetered on nuclear war.

The war of words between Donald Trump and Kim have sharply escalated tensions.

But the DPRK’s willingness to suspend nuclear missile tests were cheered by the U.S President, who nodded to China’s role.

“I think that they are sincere but I think they are sincere also because the sanctions and what we are doing with respect to North Korea, including the great help we have been given from China. They can do more but I think they have done more than they have ever done for our country,” Trump said.

And yet Trump wouldn’t say if he’ll insist on preconditions.

His administration has previously insisted upon preconditions that include the DRPK denuclearizing, not simply suspending tests.

“We have made – drawn a very clear line. North Korea has to agree to not possess nuclear capability, and until that happens we cannot have an agreement with them,” Dan Coats, the U.S. director of National Intelligence said.
Kim Jong Un has rejected any preconditions for these talks that so far, have been driven largely by diplomacy between the two Koreas.

And yet the U.S is also a key player in whatever talks ensure.

It’s the ROK’s closest military ally and is due to resume joint exercises next month after a pause for the Winter Olympics – exercises that have antagonized the DPRK.