Moon, Trump vow NK safety and prosperity for denuclearization

“There have been many agreements between North Korea and the US, but this is the first time an agreement between the leaders is being pursued,” Moon said, adding that Trump has brought about significant changes in North Korea issues.

Saying that he has every confidence in Trump for achieving denuclearization and normalizing relations with North Korea, Moon went on to say that such an outcome would be a major turning point in world history.

“And this will provide real guarantee of safety to North Korea, and at the same time bring peace and prosperity to North Korea.”

Trump, however, hinted that the meeting -- set for June 12 in Singapore -- being thrown off schedule remains a possibility.

“There are certain conditions that we want. And I think we’ll get those conditions. And if we don’t, we don’t have the meeting,” Trump said, adding that it would be “a great, great meeting for North Korea” if the conditions are met. 

The outlook for the summit became uncertain after North Korea threatened to pull out of the talks over US national security adviser John Bolton’s statement that North Korea’s denuclearization process would be similar to that of Libya.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later said that the White House is committed to denuclearization of North Korea and that summit preparations are being made.

“We are continuing to prepare both our team and the White House so that, in the event that the summit takes place on June 12, we are fully prepared with the mission statement having not changed at all,” Pompeo told reporters at a press briefing.

At the meeting with Moon, Trump also hinted that there may be some room for negotiation with regards to the timeframe of the denuclearization process.

“It will certainly be better if it were all-in-one. Does it have to be, I don’t think I want to totally commit myself but all-in-one would be a lot better,” Trump said regarding the timeframe he has in mind for North Korea’s denuclearization. 

Trump also said that Kim’s safety would be guaranteed, and implied that significant economic aid would be provided in return for complete and verifiable denuclearization.

“I will guarantee his safety yes. We will guarantee his safety. We’ve talked about that from the beginning. He will be safe. He will be happy. His country will be rich. His country will be hardworking and very prosperous,” Trump said.

“South Korea, China, and Japan, and I’ve spoken to all three. One I happen to have right here. They will be willing to help and fully invest very, very large sums of money into helping to make North Korea great.”

Regarding Kim’s meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said that their second meeting has led to “a little change in attitude” in Kim, but stopped short of accusing China of interference.

According to Cheong Wa Dae, Moon and Trump discussed ways to alleviate Pyongyang’s concerns over its security following complete denuclearization. The two leaders are also said to have discussed the possibility of the two Koreas and the US signing a peace treaty after the US-North Korea summit.

“(Moon) stated that there is no need to question North Korea’s commitment to the North Korea-US summit, and that there needs to be concrete discussions on denuclearization and a security guarantee between the North and the US,” Cheong Wa Dae chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan said.

Yoon also said that Moon informed Trump that high-level inter-Korean dialogue could resume once the Max Thunder exercise concludes Friday. Max Thunder is a joint South Korea-US air drill, which the North cited in postponing a high-level meeting originally scheduled for May 16.

In a related development, Pyongyang on Wednesday allowed eight South Korean journalists into the country to observe the demolition of tunnels at the Punggye-ri nuclear facility.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)