City
Epaper

N. Korea says dialogue with South 'not open'

By IANS | Updated: June 27, 2019 16:20 IST

North Korea on Thursday toughened its stance on neighbouring South Korea and said that dialogue between the two countries is not open and Pyongyang is in direct talks with Washington without mediation, denying Seouls statements on the matter.

Open in App

Director-General of Department of American Affairs of North Korean Foreign Ministry, Kwon Jong-gun, said that Seoul was "trying to refurbish their image by giving a publicity as if they are 'mediating' the North Korea-US relations", according to a statement released by state news agency KCNA.

"The South Korean authorities are now stirring up public opinion as if a sort of dialogue is being held between the North and the South," Kwon added.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday said that the inter-Korean dialogue is ongoing through "diverse channels".

He also said that the US and North Korea have "been engaged in dialogue in regard to a third summit" between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, and the two countries have been carrying out "behind-the-scenes talks" on the matter.

Kwon added that "the South Korean authorities have nothing to meddle in the dialogue" supposedly underway between Pyongyang and Washington and assured that relations with the White House "are moving forward on the basis of the personal relations between Comrade Chairman of the State Affairs Commission and the US President".

Since the failure of the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Vietnam, Pyongyang has toughened its stance with Washington and Seoul in an apparent aim to resume negotiations with new proposals.

Kwon said that Washington "is now talking much about the North Korea-US dialogue, but in reality, it is becoming more and more desperate in its hostile acts against Pyongyang".

"The North Korea-US dialogue would not open by itself though the US repeatedly talks about resumption of dialogue like a parrot without considering any realistic proposal that would fully conform with the interests of both sides," he said.

Kwong added that as mentioned by Kim, the US should begin talks "with a correct method of calculation and the time limit is until the end of this year".

Following the exchange of letters between Kim and Trump and with the latter's visit to South Korea over the weekend, hopes of a possible dialogue and a third summit between the two have been revived.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: South KoreaNorth KoreausKim Jong UnDonald Trump
Open in App

Related Stories

EntertainmentHappy Birthday V: BTS’ Kim Taehyung Celebrates His 30th Birthday; Members Pour in Heartfelt Wishes

InternationalIdaho Shooting: 2 Shot at Shoshone County Sheriff's Office in Wallace; Suspect Killed

InternationalUS Launches Airstrike on ISIS Terrorists in Nigeria for ‘Viciously Killing Christians’, Says Trump

Social ViralSanta Spotted in US Skies? Netizens Report Red Sleigh Seen Over Multiple Cities (Watch Videos)

InternationalSouth Korean Rocket Blast: Massive Explosion After Hanbit-Nano Rocket Fails During Launch at Alcantara Space Center in Brazil

International Realted Stories

InternationalUS announces sanctions over alleged Iran-Venezuela weapon trade

InternationalSouth Korea: National Assembly set to file complaint against head of Coupang's Korean unit over alleged perjury

InternationalKhaleda Zia to be laid to rest with state honours as India joins Bangladesh in mourning

InternationalSouth Korea: Police open probe into ruling party lawmaker over alleged bribe-taking

InternationalEAM Jaishankar to attend Khaleda Zia's funeral in Dhaka today