Possible N Korea-US summit sign of progress in field of disarmament: UN official

Despite the deteriorating security situation, there are some signs of progress in the field of disarmament, such as the intention of North Korea and the United States to hold summit talks, a senior UN official has said.

"At a time when global anxieties about nuclear weapons are higher than at any time since the Cold War, measures for disarmament and arms control are more vital than ever," Thomas Markram, Deputy High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, said at the opening of the 2018 session of the UN Disarmament Commission here yesterday.

He said since September, there have been no fundamental changes in the interrelated trends that are eroding efficacy in arms control and negatively affecting international peace and security. However, there have been some recent signs of progress that point to where the Commission can make a unique and constructive contribution.

On the reported commitment by North Korea to denuclearisation following the recent talks held in China, the UN official said "we hope these positive developments will be the start of a longer process of sincere dialogue leading to sustainable peace and denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula."