North Korea may declare end to war

A South Korean delegation returned from Pyongyang with an important piece of information: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is willing to sign a declaration ending the Korean War (1950-1953) without requiring the US to withdraw its forces from South Korea.

A special envoy sent by South Korean President Moon Jae-in to the North Korean capital Pyongyang on September 5 brought a letter from President Moon to leader Kim Jong-un.

The Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the Workers' Party of Korea, published photos on September 6 of the dinner and discussions taking place "in a friendly and warm atmosphere."

The Rodong Sinmun article said that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “was satisfied with the contacts in various fields between the two Koreas, the reunion of separated families being carried out, and the military dialogue and the establishment of a joint liaison office progressing well after the historic meeting at Panmunjom” and that “North Korea highly values ​​all the successes the two sides have made and will continue to push for these achievements without derailing the bilateral relations that are entering a new orbit of peace, reconciliation and development.”

The South and North Korean officials discussed the agenda and timing of the next inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang on September 18-20. Further details of the meeting will be announced when the delegation returns to South Korea and the delegation members announce a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the statement said.

South Korean national security adviser 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 attached to the withdrawal of 28,500 US troops from South Korea or the end of the US-South Korea alliance.