North Korea may declare an end to the war.
According to the South Korean delegation, North Korea is ready to declare an end to the war without preconditions that the United States withdraw its forces from South Korea.
The South Korean delegation returning from Pyongyang brought with them crucial information: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was ready to sign a declaration ending the Korean War (1950-1953) without requiring the US to withdraw its forces from South Korea.
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (left) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in during their summit at Panmunjom in April 2018. Photo: UPI |
The special envoy sent by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Pyongyang on September 5th carried a letter from President Moon to leader Kim Jong-un.
On September 6, Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the Workers' Party of North Korea, published photos of a dinner and discussions taking place "in a friendly and warm atmosphere."
The Rodong Sinmun article stated that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “is pleased with the contacts in various fields between the two Koreas, the reunions of separated families that have been carried out, and the military dialogues and the establishment of a joint liaison office that are progressing well after the historic meeting at Panmunjom” and “North Korea appreciates all the successes that both sides have achieved and will continue to promote these achievements without derailing the bilateral relationship which is entering a new peaceful trajectory, a trajectory of reconciliation and development.”
According to the statement, South Korean and North Korean officials discussed the agenda and timing of the next inter-Korean summit, to be held in Pyongyang from September 18-20. Further details about the meeting will be released upon the delegation's return to South Korea, and members of the delegation will release additional messages from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
South Korean National Security Advisor Chung Eui-yong told reporters on September 6 that Kim Jong-un would be willing to sign a declaration ending the war that South Korea and North Korea have been pursuing since the beginning of this year without conditions such as withdrawing 28,500 US troops from South Korea or ending the alliance between the US and South Korea.