N. Korea still willing to hold summit with U.S.
  • 6 years ago
북한 '일방적 회담취소 유감... 미국에 시간과 기회 줄 것'

North Korea, meanwhile, says it's still willing to hold a summit.
Pyongyang's vice foreign minister released a statement a few hours after the meeting was called off by Mr. Trump.
And the statement was unusually conciliatory, expressing some respect for the American president's approach hitherto.
Oh Jung-hee has this story.
Using very polished and polite diplomatic rhetoric, North Korea urged the United States to give more thought to canceling their June 12th summit.
North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan released a statement early Friday morning -- roughly eight hours after the announcement from Washington.
He said the North wants to give the U.S. more time and opportunity -- meaning, Pyongyang is still willing to sit down with Washington for summit talks.
Regarding President Trump citing the North's fury and hostility for calling off the summit, Pyongyang claimed... that was only because Washington pressed North Korea over unilateral denuclearization.
It added... the current situation -- which shows a very deep rift between the two sides -- rather means the summit talks are urgently needed.
North Korea did express regret over Trump's decision,... but at the same time appealed... that the regime has been highly anticipating the summit as well as what the White House has suggested as a 'Trump model.'
It added the regime appreciates President Trump for making a decision that no other American president has... and has been hoping the summit marks a beginning to improving their relations.
The statement also said... North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been pouring his efforts into summit preparations.
The North stressed... that both sides can't be perfectly satisfied at their first attempt, but if they solve their issues one-by-one, their relations will only get better, not worse.
Pyongyang concluded its statement by saying it's willing to sit down face-to-face with Washington at any time with any format to work through their issues.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.
Recommended