The national security advisers of the United States, South Korea and Japan have met to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The two-day meeting could also help pave the way for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un. Ding Siyue has more.
US national security adviser H.R. McMaster, South Korea's National Security Office chief, Chung Eui-yong, and Japan's national security adviser, Shotaro Yachi met over the weekend.
According to South Korea's presidential Blue House, they discussed summit meetings between DPRK leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon. They also talked about the possible meeting between US president Trump and Kim.
The security advisers also agreed to "avoid mistakes of the past" and work together closely on the "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula".
Meanwhile, senior DPRK diplomat Choe Kang Il, who handles North American affairs in Pyongyang, arrived in Helsinki on Sunday. He is scheduled to hold talks with South Korean security experts and former US diplomats on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said that his country was approached to host diplomatic talks between representatives from the DPRK and South Korea.
SAULI NIINISTO FINNISH PRESIDENT "Actually, we were asked whether we could in a way host, so that they have a possibility to meet each other in Finland. Well, surely they are welcome to having their discussions. Now we don't know about that. It's actually for themselves to discuss and to tell if there is something to tell."
Finnish Foreign Minister said earlier that the country was helping to arrange the meeting but wouldn't mediate in the actual negotiations. The meeting comes just two days after DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho held days of diplomatic talks in neighboring Sweden. Ri didn't reveal the topics of the meeting. DSY, CGTN.