South Korean President: Kim Agrees to Take Practical Steps for Denuclearization

Moon Jae-in says that the North Korean leader has accepted to end activities at a key ballistic missile engine testing site in the presence of international experts during their meeting in Pyongyang. Moon states that Kim has agreed to visit Seoul. On September 19, Moon Jae-in, the President of South Korea, and Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, signed a joint political agreement and a military accord, the details of which are still unspecified. During a joint press conference with Kim Jong-un, Moon stated that Pyongyang has agreed to take further practical steps to end operations at the Nyongbyon nuclear facility if the U.S. takes reciprocal actions. The Nyongbyon nuclear facility, located 100 kilometers from the North Korean capital, has been the site of nuclear fissile material production for North Korea's nuclear tests from 2006 to 2017. During this period, Pyongyang conducted six nuclear weapon tests, with the last being more powerful than all previous ones. In addition to issues related to North Korea's nuclear program, the South Korean president mentioned that Kim Jong-un has agreed to visit Seoul soon. If this plan materializes, it would mark the first time in history that a North Korean leader visits the southern neighbor. The Korean Peninsula was divided into North and South after World War II, and since the end of the Korean War, the two countries have continued to exist on either side of a heavily fortified demilitarized zone without recognizing each other. However, in 2000 and 2007, when South Korean presidents visited Kim Jong-il, the former leader of North Korea, he also promised to visit Seoul, but this never happened. Kim Jong-il passed away in 2011, and his son, the current leader of the North, took power. Last year, tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated to the point where leaders in Washington and Pyongyang threatened each other with 'fire and fury,' 'destruction,' or 'preemptive nuclear war.' However, since the beginning of the new year, the North Korean leader announced a different approach and agreed on denuclearization during a historic meeting in Singapore with U.S. President Donald Trump. Nonetheless, since then, various doubts have been expressed regarding North Korea's 'practical steps' in this regard. On the other hand, Pyongyang officials have occasionally stated that they are dissatisfied with the U.S. response and reciprocal actions, especially concerning severe sanctions against North Korea. The Trump administration has emphasized that sanctions will be lifted only when North Korea takes serious action and its denuclearization enters a practical phase. North Korean state media have also simultaneously covered the meeting of the South Korean president. Pyongyang Radio reported that 'when the Supreme Leader and beloved comrade, Kim Jong-un, and Madam Ri Sol-ju, accompanied by President Moon Jae-in and his wife, entered the ceremony, everyone present welcomed them eagerly and applauded.' Pyongyang Radio then stated that both sides spoke to the audience.