Xi says N. Korea's denuclearization will unchanged: Yonhap

By Lim Chang-won Posted : June 28, 2019, 07:38 Updated : June 28, 2019, 07:38

[Yonhap News Photo]

OSAKA, Japan -- Chinese President Xi Jinping told South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's commitment to denuclearization and reconciliation with South Korea remains unchanged, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

Xi briefed Moon on the results of his visit to Pyongyang last week as they met each other in Osaka, Japan, one day before the opening of the Group of 20 summit. Kim is hoping for an "improvement in external conditions" as his regime is striving for economic development and better living conditions of the people in accordance with a "new strategic (policy) line," Xi was quoted as saying by Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Ko Min-jung.

He was apparently referring to a wide web of U.N.-led sanctions on Pyongyang. Kim wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and maintain patience to seek a "reasonable method" at an early date, Xi told Moon. Xi also said the North intends to push for inter-Korean cooperation and reconciliation by keeping the dialogue mood intact.'

Ko described Xi's remarks as his "impression" from talks with Kim. In response, Moon said Xi's activity in the North's capital, along with the exchange of personal letters between the leaders of the United States and North Korea, has spurred the "momentum" of Washington-Pyongyang dialogue.

With regard to the repatriation of the remains of Chinese troops killed during the 1950-53 Korean War, Moon said many articles believed to be left by them have been discovered in South Korea. Moon vowed to send those back with respect. Moon also voiced expectations for continued economic cooperation between South Korea and China.

They talked about various pending issues for around 40 minutes through simultaneous translation. Some thorny issues were raised as well, such as the China-U.S. dispute over cybersecurity related to 5G technology and the advanced U.S. missile defense system deployed in South Korea, called THAAD, according to a Cheong Wa Dae official.

Xi asked Moon to resolve the THAAD problem, as Beijing has been strongly opposed to its presence on the peninsula. Moon replied that it's a matter linked with denuclearization. At the outset of the talks, which pool media were allowed to cover, Xi said Beijing would contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability.
(Yonhap)
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