US says DPRK ready to discuss denuclearization

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has told the United States that it was ready to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula at the planned meeting between the two countries' leaders, media reports said on Sunday, citing US officials.

It is believed to be the first time Pyongyang has conveyed the message to Washington directly about such an intention, seen as a positive step toward the meeting between US President Donald Trump and the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un, scheduled to take place by the end of May.

"The US has confirmed that Kim Jong-un is willing to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," a US official told The Wall Street Journal on Sunday.

It was not made known when or how the message was delivered, but the official said on condition of anonymity that the two countries have held secret contacts recently. Tension on the Korean Peninsula has thawed in recent months. In March, Trump and Kim agreed to meet, but the timing and place of the high-profile gathering have not been announced yet.

Seoul and Pyongyang also agreed to hold a summit on April 27, the first meeting between the leaders of the two neighbors in 11 years.

Meanwhile, hundreds of foreigners joined in the annual Pyongyang marathon on Sunday as recent political tensions started to ease.

Approximately 400 foreign amateurs took part this year. They came from more than 40 countries and territories around the world.

Disabled people were allowed to join in for the first time. One wheelchair runner from Singapore and one blind DPRK runner were in Sunday's race.

This year's marathon started in Kim Il-sung Stadium and wound past Pyongyang landmarks such as Kim Il-sung Square and Mirae Street, one of the DPRK capital's recent redevelopment projects.

Thirteen foreign professional runners from African countries participated in the elite category of the race.

The men's full marathon was won by DPRK runner Ri Kang-bom in 2 hours 12 minutes and 53 seconds.

The winner of the women's full marathon was Kim Hyegyong from the DPRK, who came in at 2 hours 27 minutes and 24 seconds, with her twin sister Kim Hye-song narrowly behind her.

Since the DPRK started allowing foreign amateurs to take part in the Pyongyang marathon in 2014, the event has become a boost for the tourism industry.

The International Association of Athletic Federations recognized this year's event as a Bronze Label Road Race.

It is also accredited by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.

Xinhua and AP contributed to this story.

(China Daily 04/10/2018 page11)