"The North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has suggested he would be open to talks with the US, while South Korea's president has suggested he would be open to a deal between Kim and Donald Trump that allowed the North to retain its existing nuclear weapons. In a speech to the Supreme People's Assembly on Sunday, Kim said he still had fond memories of Trump, whom he met three times during Trump's first term as US president."
"But in an apparent sign that the door to dialogue has reopened if only slightly Kim said there was no reason for us not to sit down with the United States, the state-run KCNA news agency reported on Monday. But there would be key caveats, Kim added, including Washington dropping the absurd obsession with denuclearising us and accepts reality, and wants genuine peaceful coexistence."
"A freeze on North Korean nuclear weapons as an interim emergency measure would be a feasible, realistic alternative to complete denuclearisation, Lee, a liberal who favours engagement with his neighbour, told the BBC, adding that the North was producing an additional 15 to 20 nuclear weapons a year. Lee, who was elected in June after the impeachment and removal from office of Yoon Suk Yeol, added: So long as we do not give up on the long-term goal of denuclearisation, I believe there are clear benefits to having North Korea stop its nuclear and missile development."
Kim Jong-un expressed willingness to meet with the United States, recalling three meetings with Donald Trump and saying there was no reason not to hold talks. He set conditions, demanding Washington drop its denuclearisation demands, accept reality, and pursue genuine peaceful coexistence. South Korea's president, Lee Jae Myung, said he would accept a deal that halts North Korea's nuclear production rather than requiring complete arsenal destruction. Lee suggested a temporary freeze as a feasible interim measure, noted North Korea's continued weapons production of 15–20 devices per year, and affirmed continued commitment to long-term denuclearisation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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