The two Koreas are discussing issues related to ending hostilities between North Korea and the US, and possible negotiations for a peace treaty, a high-level Cheong Wa Dae official revealed Sunday. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the official told reporters that the two Koreas agree on the importance of such issues in relation to the US-North Korea summit and they are being discussed at the working level. “Working-level discussions on issues such as again promising mutual nonaggression (

North Korea May 27, 2018

US President Donald Trump on Thursday called off the planned meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, citing hostilities displayed by North Korea.The cancellation comes less than a day after President Moon Jae-in returned from Washington DC after a summit meeting with Trump. At the meeting, Trump hinted that the schedule of the meeting, planned for June 12 in Singapore, could be changed. (Yonhap)At 11:30 p.m., Moon summoned his top national security and foreign affairs officials including N

North Korea May 24, 2018

Leaders of South Korea and the US on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to denuclearization of North Korea and a guarantee of the Kim Jong-un regime’s safety in return for complete denuclearization. At the summit held in Washington on Tuesday (US time), President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump agreed to collaborate closely in the run-up to US-North Korea talks. At the start of the meeting, Moon tried to downplay skepticism on denuclearization of North Korea, saying that circumstances

North Korea May 23, 2018

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (US time) said that his meeting with North Korean leader may not happen as scheduled. Speaking ahead of his meeting with President Moon Jae-in at the White House, Trump said that the scheduled meeting may not take place. President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump responds to questions from the media at the White House on Tuesday. Yonhap“It may not Work out for June 12,” Trump said, saying “you will know soon” when asked about his conditions for the m

North Korea May 23, 2018

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday met with top US security and foreign affairs officials and asked for their support in matters surrounding North Korea. At the meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton, Moon requested their support for the upcoming US-North Korea summit. The summit is set to be held in Singapore on June 12. President Moon Jae-in speaks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton in Washington DC

North Korea May 23, 2018

President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump are set to meet for the fifth time on Wednesday, discussing North Korea and Trump’s scheduled meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In the meeting, scheduled to be held in Washington DC in the early hours of Wednesday (Korea time), the two leaders will focus on the US-North Korea summit, and recent changes in Pyongyang’s tone. President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook arrives in the US on Tuesday. YonhapPyongyang has reverted t

North Korea May 22, 2018

President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump are to meet Tuesday, as Seoul seeks to play the mediator between Pyongyang and Washington. The meeting comes amid Pyongyang threats to call off the summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, scheduled to be held in Singapore on June 12. President Moon Jae-in speaks with US President Donald Trump on Friday. YonhapMoon and Trump are expected to focus on the recent changes in Pyongyang’s tone and denuclearization plans for North Kor

North Korea May 21, 2018

Seoul will communicate with North Korea and the US to act as a mediator in preparations for the US-North Korea summit, Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday. According to the presidential office, the decision was reached at the National Security Council meeting convened early Thursday, presided over by National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong. “The council members reiterated that the Panmunjeom Declaration must be executed without faltering,” Cheong Wa Dae said in a statement.  Cheong Wa Dae spokesma

North Korea May 17, 2018

President Moon Jae-in’s special national security and foreign affairs adviser Moon Chung-in continues to voice views that fall short of being in tune with the government. Speaking at a forum Wednesday, special adviser Moon claimed that Seoul’s Defense Minister Song Young-moo had spoken with US Forces Korea commander Gen. Vincent Brooks to keep B-52 bombers out of the Max Thunder exercise.  Moon Chung-in speaks at a lecture in Washington DC on May 4. YonhapMax Thunder is the joint South Korea-US

North Korea May 17, 2018

US private sector investment in North Korea following complete denuclearization would be a welcome development, a top Cheong Wa Dae official said Monday.Speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, a Cheong Wa Dae official said that measures to allow US private sector investment in the North would be the “sooner the better,” in relation to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s television interview. On Sunday, Pompeo hinted that Washington would allow private sector investment in the North afte

North Korea May 14, 2018

Rival parties’ wrangling over the local elections and North Korean denuclearization continued Sunday, with the ruling Democratic Party accusing the opposition leader of damaging national interests. “(Liberty Korea Party) Chairman Hong is misleading (the public) as if the Moon Jae-in administration pleaded (with the US) to hold the US-North Korea summit on June 12, a day before the local elections,” said Rep. Back Hye-ryun of the Democratic Party.  Liberty Korea Party Chairman Hong Joon-pyo deliv

Politics May 13, 2018

North Korea’s decision to close down its Punggye-ri nuclear weapons testing site is being met with mixed reactions from the South Korean political arena. On Saturday, North Korea announced that the site would be shut down between May 23 and 25, and media outlets from South Korea, China, Russia, the UK and the US would be invited to witness the event. Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom holds a briefing on North Korea’s decision to disable its Punggye-ri nuclear facility, in Seoul on Sunday. Yo

North Korea May 13, 2018

Cheong Wa Dae on Thursday marked the first year of President Moon Jae-in’s term without fanfare, with the president conducting affairs as usual and a small concert being held at the presidential office.According to Cheong Wa Dae officials, the president conducted his duties as usual, dealing with outstanding issues, including those concerning the upcoming US-North Korea summit.  YonhapThe date and location of the meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump -- cr

Politics May 10, 2018

North Korea’s release of US citizens will have “positive effect” on the upcoming US-North Korea summit, US President Donald Trump said Wednesday. Trump, however, revealed no information on the time and location of the meeting, again saying that the information will be revealed “soon,” according to Cheong Wa Dae.  President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump. YonhapAccording to Seoul’s presidential office, the comments came in the comments came in a late night telephone conversation with P

North Korea May 10, 2018

Seoul’s presidential office on Wednesday welcomed the release of US citizens held captive by North Korea, saying it is a positive development ahead of the US-North Korea summit. On Wednesday three US citizens were released and handed to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who arrived in Pyongyang earlier in the day to discuss issues concerning the summit. The hostages released are Kim Hak-song, Kim Sang-duk, and Kim Dong-chul. Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang-duk had been held since last year, while Kim

North Korea May 9, 2018