The Korea Herald

지나쌤

South Korea vows to faithfully implement summit agreement with NK

By Yonhap

Published : May 25, 2018 - 09:35

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Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said Friday that the government will do its part to faithfully implement the agreement reached by the leaders of the two Koreas last month, despite the US decision to cancel the highly anticipated summit with the North.

"Our government will do its part in carrying out the Panmunjom Declaration," Cho told reporters, referring to the agreement President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reached during their April 27 meeting.

"It appears that (the North) remains sincere in implementing the agreement and making efforts on denuclearization and peace building," added the minister in charge of inter-Korean affairs. 


Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon (Yonhap) Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon (Yonhap)

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said in a publicly disclosed letter to the North Korean leader that the cancellation of the planned June 12 summit with the North is due to the "tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement."

In response, the North said Friday that it stays open to talks with the US anytime and in any format.

Asked about the abrupt cancellation of the North-US summit, Cho did not elaborate, saying he will look into what Trump said in the letter and figure out the overall situation.

In a regular press briefing, ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun told reporters that he expects that all relevant countries remain committed to resolving any issues involving North Korea through dialogue, saying the Seoul government will work hard to maintain momentum for talks.

Asked if there is a plan to hold high-level inter-Korean talks to discuss follow-up measures to the April 27 summit agreement, the spokesman said that nothing has been determined.

The two Koreas planned to hold a meeting last week, but the North called if off at the last minute, taking issue with joint military drills between South Korea and the United States. Earlier this week, in Washington, President Moon said he anticipates the resumption of inter-Korean talks after the Max Thunder air exercises end Friday. (Yonhap)