Advertisement

Kim Jong Un: Talks with Trump could produce 'great achievement'

By Jennie Oh
This image, released on Monday shows the chief of the National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong (L), and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shaking hands after Chung delivered a signed letter to Kim from President Moon Jae-in, in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo courtesy of South Korean Presidential Blue House/UPI
This image, released on Monday shows the chief of the National Security Office, Chung Eui-yong (L), and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shaking hands after Chung delivered a signed letter to Kim from President Moon Jae-in, in Pyongyang, North Korea. Photo courtesy of South Korean Presidential Blue House/UPI | License Photo

SEOUL, March 9 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said if he meets U.S. President Donald Trump, there could be "great achievements," Seoul's presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said Friday.

The spokesman quoted South Korean envoy Chung Eui-yong, who delivered the North Korean leader's invitation for denuclearization talks to Trump on Thursday, SBS reported.

Advertisement

During their meeting at the White House, Chung told Trump that Kim expressed optimism for U.S.-North Korea dialogue, saying he hoped it would be held "as early as possible."

The envoy said Kim spoke candidly during their discussion in Pyongyang earlier this week, when the North Korean leader offered to freeze the regime's nuclear and missile testing as well as negotiate denuclearization.

"We must avoid repeating mistakes of the past, but I hope the U.S. will accept our judgment on Kim and not pass up this opportunity," Chung told Trump, according to Yonhap.

The South Korean official also credited Trump's "big support" for bringing about the dialogue momentum.

Trump agreed to accept Kim's proposal for talks.

Advertisement

Chung and Trump's meeting was held for roughly 45 minutes at the Oval Office at the White House.

Latest Headlines