Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un said on Tuesday that he is ready to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump again at any time, while reaffirming his commitment to "complete denuclearization."
Yet the DPRK may go an alternative way if the U.S. "misjudges his patience and sticks to sanctions," as Republic of Korea's official Yonhap News Agency reported.
Kim made the remarks during his 2019 New Year's speech, which was broadcasted by the country's state television at 9:00 a.m.
In the speech, Kim also demanded that the U.S. side make corresponding steps in denuclearization talks.
DPRK to resume Kaesong, Mount Kumgang programs
Kim said inter-Korean relations have now entered a “completely new phase,” and he is willing to resume key joint economic projects with the South－the factory park in Kaesong and tours to Mt. Kumgang－without conditions.
Kim said in the speech that the DPRK is willing to resume operations of the Kaesong complex and Mount Kumgang tour program, as both served as peaceful engagement between the DPRK and the ROK.
Kim also mentioned that the country would strengthen its national defense capability to a global level.
Kim called for a halt on U.S.-ROK military drill
Kim called for the ROK to “completely stop” joint military drills with the United States involving strategic assets, while multilateral negotiations should be pursued to build a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.
“Now that the DPRK and the ROK decided to take the path of peace and prosperity, we insist that joint military exercises with outside forces should no longer be allowed and deployment of war equipment such as outside strategic assets should be completely stopped,” Kim said.
He later emphasized the importance of economic development.
In this year's 30-minute speech, Kim spent more than 20 minutes highlighting his new focus on the economy.
In his 2018 New Year's speech, Kim said the DPRK would send a delegation to the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in the ROK, which later led to three inter-Korean summits last year.
(With inputs from Reuters)