Washington, Seoul and Tokyo reaffirm North Korea denuclearisation goal
The United States, South Korea and Japan reaffirmed on Saturday their commitment to full denuclearisation of North Korea. The pledge came from talks on Friday in Atlanta, Georgia, on the sidelines of a G20 meeting, attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. The three pledged full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, including a ban on revenue supporting North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The statement comes as North Korea has written its nuclear-armed status into law, calling its arsenal permanent and irreversible. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly sought nuclear talks with leader Kim Jong Un and says he is open to a meeting.
Key facts
- Speculation is mounting over a possible Trump-Kim meeting at next month's APEC summit in China.
- Analysts and South Korea's spy agency say Kim may have conveyed Pyongyang's position to Beijing during a recent Dandong visit.
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung suggested in September that Washington seek a freeze rather than immediate elimination of the programme.
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Why it matters
The pledge restates a joint position as Washington seeks talks with Pyongyang, whose nuclear status is now codified in law.
What changed
First published from Yonhap, The Hindu, CNA, Bangkok Post and Dawn