Moon says DPRK's criticism of US is a negotiation

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Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in said on Thursday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s criticism of the United States after a meeting in Pyongyang was part of its negotiating strategy and the talks between the two are on the "right track".

Moon made the remarks during talks with the Singaporean president and prime minister in the city-state, his office said.

DPRK accused the United States on Saturday of making "gangster-like" demands in talks on denuclearization, contradicting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who said the old enemies had made progress on key issues.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to members of the media before boarding his plane at Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang, July 7, 2018. /VCG Photo

Pompeo said on July 7 that he has made progress in Pyongyang on setting a timeline for the DPRK's denuclearization.

Speaking to reporters before leaving the DPRK, Pompeo said he spent "a good deal of time" discussing the timeline and declaration of the DPRK's nuclear and missile facilities.

But hours after Pompeo said his two days of talks in the DPRK capital were “productive,” the DPRK accused the Trump administration of pushing a “unilateral and gangster-like demand for denuclearization” and called it “deeply regrettable”.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono and South Korea's Foreign Minister Kang Kyung Wha shake hands for members of the media as they meet in Tokyo, Japan, July 8, 2018. /Reuters Photo

Then, on July 8, Pompeo brushed off the DPRK's charges that he used “gangster-like” diplomacy in negotiations in Pyongyang, saying that after meeting his Japanese and ROK counterparts that he would keep pursuing denuclearization talks with DPRK.

On the same day, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised Pompeo’s conduct with DPRK officials at the denuclearization talks.

“I would like to pay my tribute to the strong leadership you have demonstrated in negotiating with the DPRK,” Abe said when he met Pompeo at his residence in Tokyo. “This really shows the unwavering bond of the Japan-US alliance.”

Source(s): Reuters