North Korea's Kim Jong-un meets officials from South in Pyongyang for first time
Talks aim to ease tensions and encourage dialogue between US and reclusive North
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A South Korean delegation has met with North Korea‘s leader Kim Jong-un, for the first time since he took power.
Envoys for the South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, arrived in Pyongyang for a two-day visit aimed at easting tensions between the two Koreas, and encouraging the North and the US to enter into talks.
While both North Korea and the US have expressed a willingness to talk, Washington has maintained the North must first give up its nuclear weapons programme, while the North says it will not sit down under preconditions.
The reclusive state is also concerned about joint US-South Korea military exercises due to start next month, which it considers a preparation for war.
North Korea has made no secret of its pursuit of a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the continental US.
The 10-member delegation was led by Mr Moon’s national security director, Chung Eui-yong.
It was the first known high-level visit by South Korean officials to the North in around a decade.
Before leaving for Pyongyang, Mr Chung said he would relay Mr Moon’s hopes for North Korean nuclear disarmament.
“I will certainly deliver President Moon’s firm resolve to achieve a denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and genuine and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula,” Mr Chung said.
He said he would push for “indepth” talks to find ways to help arrange the restart of dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington.
Mr Chung’s delegation includes intelligence chief Suh Hoon, and vice-unification minister Chun Hae-sung.
The presidential Blue House said the high-profile delegation was meant to reciprocate the trip by Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, who became the first member of the North’s ruling family to visit South Korea since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce.
Later this week, Mr Chang and Mr Suh are due to fly to Washington to brief US officials on the talks.
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments