Indian Council of World Affairs

Country

Comments

North Korea

Rodong Sinmun

April 25, 20181

"It is a historic event for national history made possible by our brisk efforts for dialogue and peace.”

"Improving North-South relations is a necessary requirement for the achievement of homeland unification.”

"Any kinds of obstruction will not stand in the way of our national efforts toward an autonomous unification.”

KCNA

April 20, 20182

On April 20, 2018, the 3rd Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea took place in Pyongyang.

“He (Kim Jong-un) said that the plenary meeting was to be convened to discuss and decide important matters for attaining goals of higher stage of socialist construction as required by the developing revolution and under the prevailing situation.”

“Saying that the overall situation is rapidly changing in favor of the Korean revolution thanks to the DPRK's proactive action and efforts after the declaration of completing the state nuclear force last year, he (Kim Jong-un) informed that a fresh climate of détente and peace is being created on the Korean peninsula and the region and dramatic changes are being made in the international political landscape.”

“He (Kim Jong-un) said that the miraculous victory of having perfectly accomplished the great historic cause of building the state nuclear force in a short span of less than five years is the great victory of the WPK's line of simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the building of a nuclear force and, at the same time, a brilliant victory that could be won only by the heroic Korean people.”

“He (Kim Jong-un) said that no nuclear test and intermediate-range and inter-continental ballistic rocket test-fire are necessary for the DPRK now, given that the work for mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic rockets was verified as the whole processes of developing nuclear weapons were carried out in a scientific way and in regular sequence, and the development of delivery and strike means was also made scientifically. He added that the mission of the northern nuclear test ground has thus come to an end.”

“He (Kim Jong-un) clarified the WPK's peace-loving stand to make positive contributions to the building of the world free from nuclear weapons in conformity with the aspiration and desire common to mankind, provided that the DPRK's might was put on the level wanted by it and it became possible to reliably guarantee the security of the state and the safety of the people.”

“He (Kim Jong-un) said that it is necessary to launch a general revolutionary offensive and make a dynamic advance in the economic construction under the uplifted militant banner of "Let us further accelerate the advance of our revolution by concentrating all our efforts on socialist economic construction!"”

“He pointed out that the long-term goal is to put the national economy on a Juche, modern, IT and scientific basis and provide all the people with affluent and highly civilized life so that they can live as well as others.”

The resolution "On Proclaiming Great Victory of the Line of Simultaneous Development of Economic Construction and Building of Nuclear Force" specified the following decisions.

“First, we solemnly declare that the sub-critical nuclear test, underground nuclear test, making nuclear weapon smaller and lighter and the development of the super-large nuclear weapon and delivery means have been carried out in order in the course of the campaign for implementing the party's line of simultaneously developing the two fronts and thus the work for mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic rockets has been reliably realized.”

“Second, we will discontinue nuclear test and inter-continental ballistic rocket test-fire from April 21, Juche 107 (2018). The northern nuclear test ground of the DPRK will be dismantled to transparently guarantee the discontinuance of the nuclear test.”

“Third, the discontinuance of the nuclear test is an important process for the worldwide disarmament, and the DPRK will join the international desire and efforts for the total halt to the nuclear test.”

“Fourth, the DPRK will never use nuclear weapons nor transfer nuclear weapons or nuclear technology under any circumstances unless there are nuclear threat and nuclear provocation against the DPRK.”

“Fifth, we will concentrate all efforts on building a powerful socialist economy and markedly improving the standard of people's living through the mobilization of all human and material resources of the country.”

“Sixth, we will create international environment favorable for the socialist economic construction and facilitate close contact and active dialogue with neighboring countries and the international community in order to defend peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in the world.”

“The resolution "On Concentrating All Efforts on Socialist Economic Construction to Meet Requirements of New High Stage of Developing Revolution" clarified the following decisions.”

“First, we will orientate the overall party and state affairs into the socialist economic construction and concentrate all efforts on it.”

“Second, the Party and working people's organizations, power organs, law enforcement organs and armed forces organs should enhance their roles in the struggle to concentrate all efforts on the socialist economic construction.”

“Third, the Party organizations and political institutions at all levels should regularly control and review the implementation of the decisions made at the 3rd Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the WPK so as to ensure their thorough implementation.”

“Fourth, the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly and the Cabinet should take legal, administrative and technical measures to carry out the tasks set forth in the resolutions of the plenary meeting of the WPK Central Committee.”

KCNA

April 14, 20183

KCNA reported that on April 14, 2018, Kim Jong-un met Song Tao, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China who was on a visit to the DPRK leading the Chinese art troupe.

“Expressing satisfaction over the recent development of the relations between the two parties and countries, the Supreme Leader said that he would positively carry forward and develop the traditional DPRK-China friendship into a fresh phase of development as required by a new era by further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two parties including exchange of high-level delegations and undertaking the brisk cooperation and visits in various fields and sectors.”

“Noting it is the unshakable policy of the Chinese party and government to creditably preserve, consolidate and develop the China-DPRK relations, Song Tao said that they would make a fresh contribution to promoting the prolonged and stable development of the China-DPRK relations, providing the two countries and their peoples with happiness and ensuring peace and stability on the peninsula.” 

USA

Donald Trump- President

April 24, 20184

“I will soon be meeting with Kim Jong-un as we seek a future of peace, harmony and security for the whole Korean Peninsula and, in fact, for the whole world.”

“However, in pursuit of peace, we will not repeat the mistakes of past administrations.  The campaign of maximum pressure will continue.”

“I hope that we will be able to deal in a very open and honorable fashion with North Korea.  I started a process, and when I did, everybody thought I was doing it absolutely wrong.  But in the meantime, for 25 years, people have been dealing and nothing happened.  And a lot is happening right now. ..A lot is happening.  And I think it’s going to be very positive.  And I hope it’s going to be very positive for North Korea and for South Korea, and Japan, and the rest of the world.”

“But I am starting at a level that, frankly, I shouldn’t have had to start.  This should have been worked out a long time ago.  This should have been worked out many years ago.  We were discussing that we shouldn’t be having this situation happen to the United States and the world.  This should have been resolved by other Presidents and by other leaders of other countries a long time ago.”

“With that being said, I think we’re doing very well.  Meetings are being set up.  And I want to see denuclearization of North Korea.  A lot of concessions have already been made.  We have made no concessions, despite some of the media saying that I’ve made concessions.  I don’t — I haven’t even discussed a concession other than the fact that meeting is a great thing.  And I’m sure that a lot of other people would have liked to have had the position we’re having.

“I will say this:  We put the strongest sanctions on a country that we ever have put on any country, by far.  China, President Xi, has been very strong in helping us to solve this problem — in his case, at the border.  He’s allowing very little to get through.”

I think he’s doing that for a number of reasons.  We have a very good relationship, and also it’s very important in terms of trade, because I do play the trade card.”

“But I think it all plays to the border and the fact that they have been extremely strong on the border and very little has gotten through, much to the surprise of a lot of people.  And I believe the trade will work out, but I also think that China has never treated us with more respect than they have over the last short period of time that I’m President.  I have a very excellent, as you know, relationship with President Xi.  And I think that relationship is very important as to what’s happening with North Korea.”

“So the end result is, we’ll see.  Maybe good things will happen and maybe we’re all wasting a lot of time.  But hopefully it will be good for everybody concerned.”

“It (denuclearization) means they get rid of their nukes.  Very simple.  They get rid of their nukes, and nobody else would say it.  It would be very easy for me to make a simple deal and claim victory.  I don’t want to do that.  I want them to get rid of their nukes.”

April 24, 20185

“As far as North Korea is concerned, we are going to be having a meeting with Kim Jong-un, and that will be very soon.  We have been told directly that they would like to have the meeting as soon as possible.  And we think that’s a great thing for the world.  That’s a great thing for North Korea and South Korea and Japan and France and everybody.”

“So we’re having very — very good discussions.  Kim Jong-un, he really has been very open and I think very honorable from everything we’re seeing.  Now, a lot of promises have been made by North Korea over the years, but they’ve never been in this position.”

“We have been very, very tough on maximum pressure. We have been very tough on, as you know, trade.  We’ve been very, very tough at the border.  Sanctions have been the toughest we’ve ever imposed on any country.  And we think it will be a great thing for North Korea and it will be a great thing for the world.  So we’ll see where that all goes.  Maybe it will be wonderful and maybe it won’t.  And if it’s not going to be fair and reasonable and good, I will — unlike past administrations, I will leave the table.”

“But I think we have a chance of doing something very special with respect to North Korea.  Good for them, good for us, good for everybody.”

Susan Thornton- Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, State Department

April 24, 20186

"Certainly this administration is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past.”

"I would say one of the things that we are very determined to avoid is getting into a protracted process that takes a lot of time where the North Korean regime can use the time to continue to develop its weapons program and prolong the negotiating process."

"What we have seen so far is the statements about the wiliness to denuclearize. And what we have to do now is we have to test the sincerity of the statements.”

"Words are important. It's a good sign ... But it's not enough to convince us of the sincerity."

"The position of the Trump administration and policy of the Trump administration hasn't changed with regard to our goal for the negotiations, which is denuclearization ... a complete and verifiable denuclearization.”

"Whether they be ICBM, whether they be mid-range, whether they be short-range, they are all in violation of the UNSC resolutions. Of course, they will continue to be a concern and something that needs to be addressed in the course of this process we are embarking on. But I think denuclearization is the focus of the international community.”

"I don't think we want to be wedded in any particular format or any particular series of setup of negotiations. Right now we are starting with bilateral North-South Korea (talks). Then we are gonna do the U.S.-North Korea (talks),”

"I think all of the partners from the six parties are important to resolving a set of issues that we have with North Korea. So we want to keep them involved but whether we do it with that kind of format or another kind of format or a mixed format, I don't think it's clear yet.”

"We will see how we go forward from here."

Sarah Sanders- Press Secretary

April 23, 20187

“The goal is denuclearization of the Peninsula, and we’re going to continue the maximum pressure campaign that has been ongoing to North Korea until we see concrete actions taken towards complete and total denuclearization.”

“I’m going to leave that (definition of complete denuclearization) to the President and Kim Jong-un to walk through what some of those details would look like when that meeting takes place.  But I can be very clear that we expect it not to just be mentioned in words, but there have to be concrete actions that take place towards total denuclearization of the Peninsula.”

“The President wants to do what is in the best interest of our country and even in the world.  And particularly having North Korea and the Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons, I think, is a good thing for everybody, and I think even you would be hard-pressed to find something different.

“We’re not going to make mistakes from previous administrations, and we’re not going to take the North Koreans simply at their word.  Like I said before and we’ve said many times before, the maximum pressure campaign is going to continue until we see concrete actions taken by — look, we’re not naïve in this process.  We’ve seen some steps in the right direction.  But we have a long way to go.”

“We also have seen a major change in what has taken place in the past by having our allies and partners in the region step up and do much more than they have in the past.  China has taken a more active role in putting pressure on North Korea.  They can certainly do more — we hope they will — and will continue working with us.  And that’s all at the direction and because of the relationship that the President has built with President Xi of China.”

Susan Thornton- acting Assistant Secretary, East Asian and Pacific Affairs, State Department

April 23, 20188

 Susan Thornton, acting U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs was in Seoul.

"I really appreciate all of the time that people are making for me this week because it is a very big week with the North-South summit coming up on Friday.”

"It is very important and good timing for me to come to show our close coordination.”

"I think we've got a better opportunity than we've had in recent years to try to see if they are serious. We're gonna try to explore that in these upcoming meetings.”

"We very much hope that there's gonna be an opening here, so we'll see what we can get done at these upcoming sessions.”

Donald Trump- President

April 22, 2018

“Funny how all of the Pundits that couldn’t come close to making a deal on North Korea are now all over the place telling me how to make a deal!”9

"We are a long way from conclusion on North Korea, maybe things will work out, and maybe they won't -- only time will tell, But the work I am doing now should have been done a long time ago!"10

"Wow, we haven't given up anything & they have agreed to denuclearization (so great for World), site closure, & no more testing!"11

April 20, 201812

“A message from Kim Jong Un: “North Korea will stop nuclear tests and launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles.” Also will “Shut down a nuclear test site in the country’s Northern Side to prove the vow to suspend nuclear tests.” Progress being made for all!”

“North Korea has agreed to suspend all Nuclear Tests and close up a major test site. This is very good news for North Korea and the World - big progress! Look forward to our Summit.”

John Sullivan - Acting Secretary of State

April 20, 201813

On April 20, 2018 United States labeled North Korea a "force of instability" over its violations of human rights.

"The DPRK is one of the most repressive and abusive regimes in the world.”

"As the report makes clear, the Kim regime systematically neglects the well-being of its people to underwrite and fund its illicit weapons programs via forced labor, child labor, and the export of North Korean workers."

Heather Nauert – Spokeswoman, State Department

April 19, 201814

“Our conversations and negotiations with North Korea, which we’ve shared with you, have been happening at a high level, that we have had direct contact with the Government of North Korea. “

"We would certainly like to see an end, a formal end to the armistice, and that's something that we would support."

Statement- White House

April 18, 201815

“On April 17-18 at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held their sixth meeting, and third major summit, and affirmed their strong determination to strengthen our shared resolve on North Korea, and increase the capability of the U.S.-Japan Alliance to confront all emerging threats to peace, stability, and an international order based on the rule of law.”

“President Trump and Prime Minister Abe confirmed their commitment to achieving the permanent and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea.  They also reaffirmed that North Korea needs to abandon all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs. President Trump and Prime Minister Abe underscored that the global maximum pressure campaign will continue until North Korea denuclearizes.  President Trump and Prime Minister Abe reiterated their strong commitment to boosting trilateral cooperation with the Republic of Korea in the face of the North Korean threat and coordinating closely in advance of U.S.-North Korea talks.  President Trump commended Japan’s efforts to prevent North Korean ship-to-ship transfers that are in violation of UN Security Council resolutions.  The two leaders underscored that efforts to prevent ship-to-ship transfers should be expanded.  President Trump affirmed that he will urge North Korea to promptly resolve its abductions of Japanese citizens, recalling the strong impression he received when he met the families of the abductees during his visit to Japan last November.”

Donald Trump- President

April 18, 201816

“Mike Pompeo met with Kim Jong Un in North Korea last week. Meeting went very smoothly and a good relationship was formed. Details of Summit are being worked out now. Denuclearization will be a great thing for World, but also for North Korea!”

April 17, 201817

“North Korea is coming along.  South Korea is meeting, and has plans to meet, with North Korea to see if they can end the war.  And they have my blessing on that.  And they’ve been very generous that without us and without me in particular, I guess, you would have to say, that they wouldn’t be discussing anything, including the Olympics would have been a failure.  Instead, it was a great success.  They would have had a real problem.”

“Japan and ourselves are locked, and we are very unified on the subject of North Korea.  We will probably be — depending on various meetings and conversations, we’ll be having meetings with Kim Jong-un very soon.  It will be — that will be taking place probably in early June or a little before that — assuming things go well.  It’s possible things won’t go well and we won’t have the meetings, and we’ll just continue to go along this very strong path that we’ve taken.  But we will see what happens.”

Heather Nauert- Spokesperson, State Department

April 17, 201818

“We are closely latched up and allied, obviously, with the Koreans. We support that inter-Korean dialogue, understanding that it’s important to people both from the North and South to be able to have these conversations. So that’s certainly a significant step, but we imagine that a big part of that conversation that they have will be our President’s upcoming meeting with – with Kim Jong-un, whenever that takes place.”

Donald Trump- President

April 12, 201819

“They (China) have really been a great help to us at the border of North Korea, and maybe that all plays into what we’re doing because I think it does.  I think everything does.  But perhaps that’s one of the reasons that they are so helpful.  They’ve been really terrific in helping us get to some kind of a settlement.”

“Meetings are being set up right now between myself and Kim Jong-un, who will be — I think it will be terrific.  I think we’re going with a lot of respect, and we’ll see what happens.  So we’ve come a long way.  But China has really helped us at the border, and we appreciate it.”

Mike Pompeo- Secretary of State (Nominee)

April 12, 201820

"It is the intention of the president and the administration not to do that this time to make sure that before we provide rewards, we get the outcome permanently, irreversibly, that it is that we hope to achieve,"

"It is a tall order, but I am hopeful that President Trump can achieve that through sound diplomacy.”

"No one is under any illusions we'll reach a comprehensive agreement through the president's meeting.”

"But to set up the conditions acceptable to each side, for the two leaders who will ultimately make the decision about whether such an agreement can be achieved and then set in place, I'm optimistic that the United States government can set the conditions for that appropriately."

"My mission, and I've articulated my own personal views on this -- we have a responsibility to achieve a condition where Kim Jong-un is unable to threaten the United States of America with a nuclear weapon.”

South Korea

Im Jong-seok- Chief of Staff, Office of the President

April 26, 201821

"Reaching an agreement on denuclearization would be fundamentally different in nature from the agreements in the early 1990s and 2000s at a time when the North's nuclear and ICBM capabilities have advanced.”

"That makes our meeting this time around difficult."

“If a clear commitment on denuclearization can be specified and, more than that, if that can be confirmed as meaning the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, (we) would see it as very successful.”

"That would be quite great as a guidance leading up to the North Korea-U.S. summit talks."

Kang Kyung-wha- Foreign Minister

April 25, 201822

"The South-North summit talks are expected to be a venue where (the leaders) discuss the issue of denuclearization frankly and verify North Korea's commitment to denuclearization.”

"(The two Koreas) will likely form a common understanding of the ways to institute peace, which could build a permanent peace regime to replace their unstable armistice regime.”

"The upcoming inter-Korean summit will (also) be the starting point for laying the groundwork for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and a guide to help the upcoming North Korea-U.S. summit through success."

“A peace regime (to be instituted with the North) would make it possible (for the Koreas) to prevent potential military conflicts on the Korean Peninsula and to have mutually prosperous economic cooperation.”

"I think there will be much to agree on, given that (Kim) may come to the table with such (an all-out drive for economic development cannot be achieved under the current international frame of sanctions and pressure on the country) an understanding.”

Official-Unification Ministry

April 24, 2018

"Without the progress of (the North's) denuclearization, it would not be realistic to discuss ways to establish peace."

Moon Jae-in- President

April 23, 201823

"Now the South-North Korea summit has come to be just four days away. We are standing at a crossroad to denuclearization not by military measures but through peaceful means and permanent peace.”

"The entire world is watching and the entire world is hoping for its success. I ask that our political circles too will halt their political warfare at least during the summit."

"North Korea's nuclear freeze is an important decision for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. It is a green light that raises the possibility of success of the South-North, North Korea-U.S. summits.”

"I sincerely ask for bipartisan cooperation to build a Korean Peninsula that is free of concerns over nuclear weapons and wars.”

Statement-Ministry of National Defense

April 23, 201824

"The Ministry of National Defense halted the loudspeaker broadcasts against North Korea in the vicinity of the military demarcation line (MDL) at the start of Monday.”

It's aimed at "reducing military tensions between the South and North and creating the mood of peaceful talks" 

Statement- Office of the President

April 21, 201825

"North Korea's decision (to suspend nuclear and missile tests and shut down its atomic test site) is meaningful progress for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which the world wishes for.”

"It will create a very positive environment for the success of the upcoming inter-Korean and North-U.S. summits."

Official- Office of the President

April 20, 201826

“On April 20, 2018 South Korea and North Korea set up a telephone line between their leaders, enabling direct dialogue between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.”

"It was as if we were talking to a neighbor right next door.”

Moon Jae-in- President

April 19, 201827

“North Korea is expressing its intention for complete denuclearization. And it is not making demands that the U.S. cannot accept, such as the withdrawal of the U.S. forces in Korea.” 

“At a time when strict international and U.S. sanctions are enforced against the North, we don’t have much to achieve bilaterally with the North beyond such sanctions.”

April 19, 201828

“When we look back, just a few months ago, the shadow of war glimmered on the Korean Peninsula as military tensions here escalated extremely.”

"Even when the dialogue between the South and the North began due to North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the so-called April crisis theory that said South-North relations would again go bankrupt once the Olympics were over and the joint South Korea-U.S. military exercises resumed in April continued to keep the people worried.”

"Perhaps the situation could have gone in such a direction. But our determination and efforts to create a situation that we want instead of leaving our fate to changes in the situation turned the tide.”

"Many people have called my Berlin declaration in July last year a dream, but that dream is now becoming reality. It was a bold imagination and strategy that turned the tide and created today's conditions."

"We may speak of successful dialogue only when the first-ever North Korea-U.S. summit is also held successfully, not just the South-North Korea summit."

"We will need bold imagination and creative solutions to make the two summits successful and not repeat the mistakes of the past." 

"As I have mentioned many times, President Trump's absolute support for dialogue on denuclearization has been a critical force in creating the dramatic change in conditions. But to speak objectively, we are only stepping over the threshold of dialogue now. It is too early to boast of the success of dialogue.”

"The South-North relations can develop when this North Korean nuclear issue is resolved and international sanctions are removed. We are in a situation where we cannot improve the South-North Korean relations only based on successful dialogue between the South and the North. The North Korea-U.S. ties also need to be improved and the North-Japan relations as well. The South-North relations can develop when and if all these issues move forward.”

"We cannot repeat past mistakes and so must find new solutions. But the talks will be successful only when all sides reach an agreement on such new solutions. In addition, they will ultimately require an agreement between the North and the U.S.”

Kim Eui-kyeom- Spokesperson, Office of the President

April 19, 201829

"The hotline between the leaders will be connected tomorrow (April 20) and working-level officials will conduct a trial call.”

Chung Eui-yong- National Security Advisor

April 18, 201830

“(Seoul and Washington are holding) in-depth discussions on various ways to successfully hold the South-North Korea summit and the North Korea-U.S. summit that will be held shortly thereafter.”

"For instance, we are discussing how we could remove the (security) concerns held by North Korea. We have also held in-depth discussions on how we could guarantee the North's bright future should the North make the right decision.”

"We are also exchanging our views on the possibility of holding a South Korea-U.S. summit, as well as a three-way summit of South Korea, North Korea and the U.S. to successfully achieve such goals." 

Baik Tae-hyun- Spokesperson, Ministry of Unification

April 18, 201831

"The two Koreas discussed the issue of ending the armistice at a summit in October 2007."

"The government is making efforts to declare an end to the war and set up a permanent peace regime."

"The South and the U.S. are in close consultation over the summit. Discussions between the U.S. and North Korea are also reportedly underway," 

Moon Jae-in- President

April 17, 201832

“The complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the most urgent task that lies before us and a task we must complete peacefully."  

"A North Korea-U.S. summit is scheduled to be held after the South-North Korea summit. A great transition that can create a new world order in the world history is beginning to take shape.” 

" (The goal is) to bring down the wall between the South and the North and build a path to co-existence and joint development.” 

 "Separated families must be allowed to reunite, exchange greetings and freely visit each other." 

Im Jong-seok- Presidential Chief of Staff 

April 17, 201833

"The possibility of sending the head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) or National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong always remains open if necessary while preparing for the summit.”

"It is an important point to us because depending on the outcome of the summit, it may lead to the establishment of regular dialogue (between the two Koreas) at Panmunjom.”

"We believe the South-North Korea summit will be important in that it will be followed by a North Korea-U.S. summit, and may possibly lead to a South-North-U.S. summit.”

"If we say we put in so much effort into dialogue between the South and the North, we put in three times as much effort into communicating with the U.S. We are hoping that holding the South-North Korea summit and the U.S.-North Korea summit successively will be the key to addressing fundamental issues."

"As they say, we cannot get full with the first spoonful. But they also say even a journey of 1,000 miles starts with the first step. So we believe the upcoming summit may mark a new start.”

Chung Eui-yong- National Security Advisor

April 13, 201834

On April 12, 2018, Chung Eui-yong, National Security Advisor met new U.S. National Security Adviser, John Bolton. After the meeting Chung said,

“We agreed that our two countries will do our utmost for the success of the South-North Korea summit and the North-U.S. summit.”

"We agreed that the countries' National Security Councils will closely consult with each other for the success of the summits.”

"In particular, I come back after confirming the fact that there are no different views between the two countries on the basic principle of establishing peace through denuclearization, which the countries must push for.”

Do Jong-whan- Culture Minister

April 12, 201835

"He (Kim Jong-un) was very natural when he talked about various topics from music, culture to sports. Kim Jong-un was completely different from the person you see on the news.”

"For him to propose a performance in Seoul (proposed joint performance) in the autumn after having two successful summits shows his willingness to participate in the two summits."

"If (the inter-Korean summit) doesn't work out, it's bad for everyone, to South Korea, China, North Korea and the U.S. If it does work out, meaning both the inter-Korean and nuclear issues get resolved, it's good for everyone."

Culture Minister Do Jong-whan was in Pyongyang leading South Korean K-pop delegation and met Kim Jong-un on April 1, 2018.

China

 Statement - Foreign Ministry

April 23, 201836 

On April 23, 2018, when jointly meeting the press with visiting Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia in Beijing, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed that China hopes the meeting between leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) as well as the meeting between leaders of the DPRK and the United States (US) will achieve success. It is hoped that new and good news about the Korean Peninsula issue could constantly be heard, and thus embarking on the correct path to lasting peace on the Peninsula.

“Wang Yi expressed that the DPRK declared to stop its nuclear missile tests, which is an important step towards the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. It is conducive to easing the tension on the Korean Peninsula, restarting dialogue and negotiation, and pushing forward the realization of the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, the DPRK also decided to concentrate on developing economy, which totally conforms to the fundamental interests of the country and its people, as well as accords with the theme and trend of the development of the times. The above-mentioned decisions of the DPRK are undoubtedly good news to the region and the world, which should be welcomed and supported by various parties.”

“Wang Yi said that on the Korean Peninsula issue, China has always been a firm defender of peace and stability, as well as an unremitting impeller of dialogue and negotiation. Under the efforts of China and various relevant parties, a series of positive changes can be seen recently in the Korean Peninsula situation. These changes do not come by easily, and are worth doubly cherishing and caring by various parties. We must neither let any noise destroy the continuous improvement of the Korean Peninsula situation, nor let any interference hinder the process of dialogue and negotiation of various parties. At present, the meeting between leaders of the DPRK and the ROK is about to be held. The DPRK and the US are also making intensive preparations for the meeting between leaders of the two countries. We hope that the two meetings will both achieve success, and also hope to constantly hear new and good news about the Korean Peninsula issue, and embark on the correct path to lasting peace on the Peninsula.”

“Wang Yi pointed out that as close neighbors of the Peninsula, China and Russia have similar stances and goals on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Over the years, both sides have jointly made tremendous efforts in safeguarding peace and stability on the Peninsula, and also formulated a roadmap for peaceful settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue. Facing the new circumstances, China and Russia will further enhance communication and coordination, and continue making due contributions to promoting the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue.”

Lu Kang- Spokesperson, Foreign Ministry

April 23, 201837

“As to whether the international community should ease or lift some sanctions on the DPRK following that major decision, as some opinions suggested, China is consistent in its position. Firstly, all the DPRK-related resolutions of the UN Security Council should be implemented in an accurate and complete manner. The relevant resolutions not only spell out sanctions on the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs but also encourage the adoption of all possible measures to help realize denuclearization and regional peace and stability. Secondly, the DPRK's decision meets the shared aspirations of the international community. The international community has every reason to encourage all parties to move in the same direction and make concerted efforts to ultimately bring the Korean Peninsula issue to the track of peaceful settlement through political dialogue.”

Lu Kang- Spokesperson, Foreign Ministry

April 21, 201838

“The 3rd Plenary Session of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea has decided to stop nuclear and missile tests, make all-out efforts to develop economy and improve people's livelihood. China welcomes this. We believe that the relevant decision made by the DPRK will help to further ease the situation on the Korean Peninsula, denuclearize the Peninsula and politically resolve the Korean Peninsula issue. Achieving the denuclearization of the Peninsula and lasting peace of the region serves the common interests of the people on the Peninsula and of the region and meets the shared aspirations of the international community. We hope that the DPRK will score achievements in developing its economy and improving people's livelihood. We support the DPRK and other relevant parties in addressing their respective concerns and improving their relations through dialogue and consultation. We hope that all relevant parties can join hands to take concrete actions and make their own efforts to achieve the lasting peace and common development of this region. China will continue with its positive role to this end.”

Hua Chunying- Spokesperson, Foreign Ministry

April18, 201839

“We expect them to follow the "dual track" approach to advance the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue, so as to promote and achieve the denuclearization on the one hand and establish the peace regime of the Peninsula on the other hand. In this process, the legitimate security concerns of all relevant parties need to be accommodated to form a package solution so that the long-lasting peace and stability will be realized on the Korean Peninsula.”

“We believe that advancing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and establishing the peace regime for negotiation in parallel in accordance with the "dual-track" approach is an effective way to fundamentally resolve the Korean Peninsula issue. As an important party concerned to the Peninsula affairs and a signatory to the Korean Armistice Agreement, China will play a positive role in this process.”

“With regard to how to seek the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi underlined the following three points”

“First, we should stay committed to the general direction of denuclearization. The denuclearization of the Peninsula is the master key to resolving all the issues related to the Peninsula as well as the pathway that leads to the long-lasting peace and stability of the Peninsula. All relevant parties should unwaveringly stick to this general direction.”

“Second, we should stay committed to the "dual-track" approach, namely, striving to denuclearize the Peninsula and establish the peace regime in parallel. The Korean Peninsula nuclear issue is closely related to the security threats facing all relevant parties, the DPRK in particular for a long time. When advancing denuclearization, addressing the legitimate security concerns of the DPRK is a reasonable requirement and a necessary step to achieve denuclearization.”

“Third, we should stay committed to seeking a package solution in stages and in a synchronized way. The Korean Peninsula nuclear issue has been there for long time and there is a lack of basic trust between relevant parties, especially between the DPRK and the US. The peace process should be advanced under the precondition of denuclearization and with the concerted efforts of all relevant parties step by step. All relevant parties need to shoulder their due responsibilities and obligations at every stage. Only in this way can we ensure that the peace process is sustainable and the dialogue and negotiation will not be interrupted.”

Russia

Sergey Lavrov- Foreign Minister

April 23, 201840

On April 23, 2018, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with State Councilor and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi in Beijing. During their post meeting press conference Lavrov said, 

“We held in-depth discussions on the situation concerning the Korean Peninsula, where positive changes have been reported in the past few months. Russia and China believe that this advancement is largely in keeping with the provisions of the Russian-Chinese roadmap for a Korean settlement. We believe it is necessary for all the parties involved to take simultaneous steps towards one another and to refrain from any provocative action. We have agreed to do our best to facilitate these developments.” 

Statement- Foreign Ministry 

April 21, 201841 

"We consider this decision to be an important step towards further easing of tensions on the Korean peninsula and strengthening of positive trends on settlement of the Northeast Asian situation.” 

"We are rging the US and Republic of Korea to take adequate accommodating steps aimed at slowing down military activities in the region and reaching mutually acceptable agreements with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the upcoming intra-Korean and US-North Korean summits.” 

Japan

Shinzo Abe- Prime Minister

April 24, 201842

On April 24, 2018 during his telephone conversation with President Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister Abe said,

"There are many issues between Japan and North Korea, such as the nuclear, missile and abduction issues, but should the South-North Korea summit and the following North Korea-U.S. summit be held successfully, there may also be dialogue between Japan and North Korea." 

"The success of the South-North Korea summit and the North-U.S. summit means resolution of the nuclear, missile and abduction issues, and should that happen, Japan and North Korea may be able to put their past behind and normalize their relationship." 

Shinzo Abe- Prime Minister

April 21, 201843

“I want to welcome these positive moves, but I wonder if this will lead to the complete, verifiable and irreversible dismantlement of its nuclear arsenal, weapons of mass destruction and missiles.”

 “I’d like to keep a close eye on the developments.”

Itsunori Onodera- Defense Minister

April 21, 201844

“We can’t be satisfied.”

“(North Korea did not mention) the abandonment of short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles.”

Taro Aso - Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister

April 21, 201845

“(North Korea) has made a lot of promises and we paid money on the condition that they will give up experiment sites, but they continued.”

Shinzo Abe- Prime Minister

April 17, 2018

“For the North Korean issue, I’d like to underscore the importance of achieving the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization, as well as the abandonment of missile programs of North Korea.  And on this specific point, I would like to share understanding and recommendation with Donald.”

“So both Japan and the United States have been demonstrating leadership in applying the maximum pressure campaign against North Korea, which actually successfully made North Korean side to start seeking dialogue with us.  So it is fair to say that our approach has been proved to be successful and the right one.”

“And also, on this occasion, I would like to commend Donald’s courage in his decision to have the upcoming summit meeting with the North Korean leader.”

“So I look forward to having a thorough discussion on the issue of North Korea, including both nuclear as well as missile issues, and also the abductions issue, which is a priority issue for Japan.”