SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – A top North Korean diplomat said on Tuesday that it would not sit down for discussions with the US and urged the South to “stop meddling”. This comes just as a top US envoy is due to visit Seoul to restart the stalled nuclear arms discussions with Pyongyang.
Kwon Jong Gun, director general for US affairs at Pyongyang’s foreign ministry, blamed the South for misinterpreting an earlier North Korean statement dismissing an “untimely rumour” about another round of talks between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump.
This comes just days after South Korean President Moon Jae-in offered to mediate between Kim and Trump. He also suggested that both leaders should hold talks before the US elections in November.
“It is just the time for (South Korea) to stop meddling in others’ affairs but it seems there is no cure or prescription for its bad habit,” Kwon said.
“Explicitly speaking once again, we have no intention to sit face to face with the United States.”
US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun is scheduled to arrive in Seoul later on Tuesday for discussions with officials on ways to restart negotiations with Pyongyang.
He said last week that both sides had time to re-engage and “make substantial progress”.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field