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Friday, February 22, 2019, 16:03
Denuclearization: US, DPRK to seek understanding at summit
By Reuters
Friday, February 22, 2019, 16:03 By Reuters

In this image made from video provided by Host Broadcaster Mediacorp Pte Ltd., US President Donald Trump (right) and DPRK leader Kim Jong-un pose together ahead of their meeting at Capella Hotel in Singapore, June 12, 2018. (PHOTO / AP)

WASHINGTON - The United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will seek a common understanding of what denuclearization means when US President Donald Trump presses Kim Jong-un next week to give up all of the North's nuclear weapons, US officials said on Thursday.

Trump and Kim are set to meet in Vietnam for their second summit in an effort to thaw relations between the former foes and reduce one of the world's biggest nuclear threats.    

US officials have downplayed expectations for the meeting, and Trump has made clear he does not expect it to be his last with Kim, a dictator he once derided as "little rocket man" but now considers a partner with whom he can work.    

US officials have downplayed expectations for the meeting, and Trump has made clear he does not expect it to be his last with Kim, a dictator he once   derided as "little rocket man" but now considers a partner with whom he can work

Critics have said Trump gave Kim too much simply by meeting with him in Singapore last year. That criticism may be levied again for the Vietnam summit.    

But the US officials said the United States remained focused on getting the DPRK leader to denuclearize, even if he had not made that decision himself so far.    

"I don't know if North Korea has made the choice yet to denuclearize, but the reason why we're engaged in this is because we believe there is a possibility," one official said.  

The DPRK is also referred to as North Korea.  

ALSO READ: DPRK says it won't denuclearize unless US removes threat

The two sides have not agreed previously on what denuclearization means.

Kim agreed in Singapore to work towards the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, which could be taken to include removal of the US nuclear umbrella for the Republic of Korea and nuclear-capable forces, while the United States has been demanding that DPRK give up all of its nuclear and missile programs.    

“It is ultimately about the denuclearization of the DPRK.

That was what was agreed between the two sides and that is the overriding goal that President Trump is seeking to achieve with this summit. This is an important step towards that ultimate goal," the official said.


I don't know if North Korea has made the choice yet to denuclearize, but the reason why we're engaged in this is because we believe there is a possibility

  US official  

He said the United States would press for a freeze on all weapons of mass destruction and missile programs and a "roadmap" to set expectations for negotiations.    

The two sides are not discussing the removal of US troops from the ROK, however. The United States keeps some 28,500 troops in the ROK.    

Asked whether Trump was open to withdrawing all US troops from the Korean peninsula for a peace treaty that would formally end the war, a second official said that was "not the subject of discussions."

The officials noted that punishing US sanctions would remain in place to give the DPRK an incentive to move.    

READ MORE: Trump sees 'decent chance' of denuclearization ahead of summit

Trump's national security adviser John Bolton is traveling to the ROK for consultations with ROK  officials ahead of the Hanoi summit, a senior White House official said.    

US special representative for DPRK Stephen Biegun is already there, negotiating with DPRK officials ahead of the summit.

The two sides are seeking to build the goals outlined in a joint statement from the Singapore meeting to recast relations between the United States and the DPRK, establish peace on the peninsula, denuclearize, and return the remains of those missing or killed in action during the Korean War.

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