Kim calls for corresponding US measures, ready to meet Trump

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has renewed his commitment to denuclearisation but warned that he may have no option but to seek an alternative course if the United States does not take corresponding measures and maintains sanctions.

Kim made the comments on Tuesday during his annual New Year’s Day address laying out Pyongyang’s top priorities for the 12 months ahead.

In a speech broadcast by the North’s state television, he said there would be faster progress on denuclearisation if Washington took corresponding action.

“If the US does not keep its promise made in front of the whole world,” Kim said, “we may be left with no choice but to consider a new way to safeguard our sovereignty and interests”.

Kim was referring to his landmark summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore in June, when he said he had “fruitful talks” and “exchanged constructive ideas”.

At the time, the two leaders signed a vaguely-worded pledge on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula, but progress has since stalled with Pyongyang and Washington arguing over their agreement’s interpretation.

“I am ready to sit with the US President again at any time in the future and will make efforts by all means to produce a result that will be welcomed by the international community,” Kim said.

Kim also called for South Korea to stop joint military exercises with “outside forces” involving strategic assets, calling such drills a “source of tension”.

“War-related equipment – including strategic assets of outside powers – should no longer be allowed to be brought in,” he added.

Seoul and Washington are in a security alliance and the US stations 28,500 troops in the South.

The North is subject to multiple sets of United Nations Security Council sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile weapons programmes.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES