Unification minister says US-N. Korea dialogue key first step to halting Pyongyang's nuclear program

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young stated on Thursday that direct talks between the United States and North Korea are the initial step towards halting Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. This assertion came during a press conference at the government complex in Seoul, as there was growing speculation that U.S. President Donald Trump might attempt to reignite personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which had resulted in three bilateral meetings during Trump's first term in office.

"The first gateway to stopping North Korea's nuclear program is a meeting between the two sides, and we should work hard to support it," Chung emphasized. "Halting the program is in the best interest of everyone involved." Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he maintains positive relations with Kim and expressed his intention to meet the North Korean leader later this year, without offering further details.

Chung reiterated that the opportune moment for the U.S. and North Korea, as well as for Trump and Kim, has arrived. He hoped that the existing momentum between the two sides would progress into a more comprehensive framework that could eventually involve South Korea and China as well.