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North Korea says sanctions didn't force it to seek US dialogue

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 21 Mar 2018, 08:45 am Print

North Korea says sanctions didn't force it to seek US dialogue

Pyongyang: It was self confidence and not sanctions that pushed North Korea to seek dialogues with the United States of America and South Korea, the state media said on Tuesday.

The commentary published in the state- run KCNA is the first since Donald Trump agreed to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

"The dialogue peace offensive of the DPRK is an expression of self-confidence as it has acquired everything it desires," the commentary read.

The statement also rubbished certain speculation about Pyongyang being arm twisted by the US.

Even though the two leaders, Kim and Trump, are scheduled to meet sometime in April, details of the meeting is still not clear.

If it does take place, it will be the first meeting-in-person between the sitting heads of US and North Korea.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Moon Jae-in hinted on Wednesday that it could be a three-way meet.   

"A North Korea-US summit would be a historic event in itself... depending on progress, it may lead to a three-way summit between the South, North and the United States,"he was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Following the Pyongchang Winter Olympics game, relations between South Korea and North Korea started to normalise.

A 'satisfied' Kim Jong-un thanked South Korea for its 'impressive' efforts in hosting North Korea in the ongoing Winter Olympics.

The state-run KCNA news agency stated: "After receiving the delegation's report, Kim Jong-un expressed satisfaction over it."

Earlier, a North Korean delegation led by Kim's sister Kim Yo-jong, held a meeting with South Korean President  Moon Jae-in, following a landmark visit to the neighbouring country.

Kim Yo-jong also became the first member from Pyongyang's ruling family to visit South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

The news agency further stated that Kim lauded "the features of the south side, which specially prioritized the visit of the members of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea... and expressed thanks for them."