Trump sends personal letter to DPRK top leader
Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is acting in good faith to achieve the denuclearization goal, a few weeks following his warning to the United States amid its economic sanctions.
Kim expressed "great satisfaction" after receiving a letter from US President Donald Trump and spoke highly of Trump's "determination and will" to resolve issues between the two countries, Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday.
Kim said he trusts Trump's positive way of thinking, KCNA reported, of which analysts suggest that he is focused on the sit-down with Trump to produce results.
However, in his 2019 New Year's message on Dec 31, Kim said his government may look for a "new path" to safeguard its interests if the US makes no concessions in sanctions.
In his latest message, Kim said he will "believe in the positive way of thinking of President Trump, wait with patience and in good faith and, together with the US, advance step by step toward the goal to be reached by the two countries of the DPRK and the US", according to the KCNA.
Kim made the remarks after Kim Yong-chol, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, briefed him on the results of his visit to Washington last week that included meetings with Trump and other US officials on a second summit between the two countries.
Yonhap news agency in the Republic of Korea said it was Pyongyang's first report on vice-chairman's trip to Washington. During the visit, the DPRK envoy delivered a personal letter from Kim to Trump.
The White House announced on Friday that the second summit between Trump and Kim "will take place near the end of February". The KCNA, however, made no mention of the time for a second summit.
Li Chengri, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said if the second summit between Trump and Kim takes place, it will be a step forward for the two countries.
"Their first summit in Singapore in June was undoubtedly historic as the two countries have long seen each other as adversaries. But it was also believed to be no more than symbolic: The agreement they signed did not provide meaningful details and denuclearization efforts stalled afterward."
Washington has maintained pressure on Pyongyang through isolation and sanctions. Pyongyang has made clear that it expects to get at least some penalties lifted. But Washington's attitude remained firm and even after the announcement of a second summit, the White House said that Trump would maintain economic sanctions on the DPRK.
Li said the issues are complex, and at this juncture, a second summit is worthwhile to address the concerns of both sides and break the stalemate.
"Pyongyang should make concrete denuclearization steps and Washington should apprehend Pyongyang's demand for sanctions relief and an end to maximum pressure," he said.
panmengqi@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily 01/25/2019 page12)
