N Korea should abide by its denuclearisation promises: Envoy

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Shin Bong-kil, South Korean Ambassador to India has said that North Korea should abide by its promises made on achieving complete denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula.

The envoy confirmed that the two Koreas have agreed to hold an inter-Korean summit from September 18 to 20 in Pyongyang. He added that the issue of North Korea's denuclearisation and further steps of strengthening inter-Korean cooperation would be brought up during the meeting between South Korean president Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Shin elucidated, "Apart from denuclearisation, the outcome of the implementation of the Panmunjom declaration (adopted during the April meeting) will be assessed and steps will be taken on how to push the agreement going forward."

He informed that North and South Korea will be opening their joint liaison office on Friday at the North Korean border town of Kaesong in an effort to bolster inter-Korean cooperation and promote cross-border contacts and exchanges between the two nations.

Earlier, South Korean national security advisor, Chung Eui-yong, had paid a visit to Pyongyang for high-level talks with top North Korean officials last week. During his visit, Chung had said that extensive discussions on issues ranging from the development of inter-Korean relations to denuclearisation and the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula were held. The diplomat added that his delegation met Kim and delivered Moon's letter.

Underscoring that Kim reiterated his commitment of a complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, Chung further said that during the upcoming inter-Korean summit, the outcome of the implementation of the Panmunjom declaration and issues on the permanent settlement of peace and common prosperity on the Korean Peninsula was discussed.

Moon and Kim had met for the first time at the 'Peace House' in Panmunjom in the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) on April 27. They again met for the second time on May 26.