Duterte vows help to denuclearise N. Korea

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday pledged to cooperate with China and other countries to help denuclearise North Korea and curb its missile launches.

During a meeting with S. Korean President Moon Jae-in's special envoy Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon in Philippines' Davao City, Park conveyed a handwritten letter from Moon to the Philippines President and the new administration's determination to strengthen ties with the country, Yonhap news agency reported.

The Davao City meeting was Park's first stop as Moon's special envoy to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Park also requested support from the Philippines and the ASEAN countries for the Moon administration's plan to denuclearise North Korea and secure peace on the Korean Peninsula.

In response, Duterte said he will persuade North Korea to give up nuclear weapons and stop missile provocations through cooperation with its neighbouring countries including China, according to the office.

On behalf on South Korean President Moon, Park invited Duterte to Seoul and hold a summit on the sidelines of an ASEAN leaders' meeting set for November.

The Seoul Mayor also called for an increased bilateral cooperation in the Philippines' land development projects.

Duterte vowed "proactive" efforts to broaden relations with South Korea and deepen bilateral economic cooperation.

--IANS

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