South Korea on Saturday welcomed the renewed prospect of a summit between the United States and North Korea after President Trump cancelled talks with Kim Jong Un only to suggest they might still take place.

"We find it fortunate that the embers of the North Korea-US talks are reignited. We are watching developments carefully," Presidential Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-Gyeom said.

Trump's cancellation of the summit blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang.

President Moon Jae-in had to scramble his national security team when news of Trump's decision first reached Seoul late Thursday evening as he called Washington's U-turn "shocking and very regrettable".

On Friday, Trump turned on his heels again, saying the meeting with Kim could go ahead after all -- and would "likely" happen on the originally scheduled date of June 12 in Singapore.

The summit would be an unprecedented meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, which Washington hopes will result in full denuclearisation of the reclusive state.

South Korea's Moon has pushed diplomacy as he desperately sought to calm spiralling tensions on the Korean Peninsula and an escalating war of words between Kim and Trump last year sparked by Pyongyang's detonation of its largest nuclear bomb to date and a series of intercontinental ballistic missile tests.&nbsp;

Trump's cancellation of the summit blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang

South Korea on Saturday welcomed the renewed prospect of a summit between the United States and North Korea after President Trump cancelled talks with Kim Jong Un only to suggest they might still take place. "We find it fortunate that the embers of the North Korea-US talks are reignited. We are watching developments carefully," Presidential Blue House spokesman Kim Eui-Gyeom said. Trump's cancellation of the summit blindsided treaty ally South Korea, which had brokered the remarkable detente between Washington and Pyongyang. President Moon Jae-in had to scramble his national security team when news of Trump's decision first reached Seoul late Thursday evening as he called Washington's U-turn "shocking and very regrettable". On Friday, Trump turned on his heels again, saying the meeting with Kim could go ahead after all -- and would "likely" happen on the originally scheduled date of June 12 in Singapore. The summit would be an unprecedented meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, which Washington hopes will result in full denuclearisation of the reclusive state. South Korea's Moon has pushed diplomacy as he desperately sought to calm spiralling tensions on the Korean Peninsula and an escalating war of words between Kim and Trump last year sparked by Pyongyang's detonation of its largest nuclear bomb to date and a series of intercontinental ballistic missile tests.

South Korea welcomes prospect of 'reignited' US-North Korea talks

After cancelling his summit <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-cancels-summit-with-north-korean-leader-kim-139490">with Kim Jong-un, President Trump</a> warned the North Korean leader from attempting any "foolish or reckless act".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/read-letter-from-president-trump-to-kim-jong-un-cancelling-singapore-summit-139506">Also Read:&nbsp;Letter from Trump to Kim cancelling Singapore summit</a>

Kim Jong-un and President Trump were set to meet in Singapore on June 12th, however, President Trump decided against holding the meeting on Wednesday by sending a signed letter to the North Korean leader.

"Hope Kim will do what's right for its people," he said while adding that it was a tremendous setback for peace.

Trump while addressing the media said he intended to keep "maximum pressure" on North Korea through sanctions.

"Hopefully positive things will be taking place with respect to the future of North Korea," he said. "But if they don't, we are more ready than we have ever been before."

Trump said the US, South Korea and Japan were ready to respond to&nbsp;"should foolish or reckless acts be taken by North Korea."

"In the meantime, our very strong sanctions, by far the strongest sanctions ever imposed, and maximum pressure campaign will continue," Trump added.

"I am ready to tackle North Korea,"&nbsp;the US president declared.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Moon Jae-in convened emergency talks with his top security aides after Trump cancelled his summit, Yonhap news agency reported.

Officials in Seoul "are trying to figure out what President Trump's intention is and the exact meaning of it", Yonhap reported.

"We have a wonderful dialogue (Kim Jong-un). We have a wonderful - there's been very good working relationship. It started with the hostages coming back home. The hostages came home. We didn't have to pay. We wouldn't have paid. But they came back home," the US president told reporters.

"But I really believe we have a great opportunity. We'll see whether or not that opportunity is seized by North Korea. If it is, great for them and great for the world. If it isn't, it'll be just fine," Trump declared.

Earlier, in a letter to Kim, the US president wrote,"sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting."

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Kim Jong-un and President Trump were set to meet in Singapore on June 12th

After cancelling his summit with Kim Jong-un, President Trump warned the North Korean leader from attempting any "foolish or reckless act". Also Read: Letter from Trump to Kim cancelling Singapore summit Kim Jong-un and President Trump were set to meet in Singapore on June 12th, however, President Trump decided against holding the meeting on Wednesday by sending a signed letter to the North Korean leader. "Hope Kim will do what's right for its people," he said while adding that it was a tremendous setback for peace. Trump while addressing the media said he intended to keep "maximum pressure" on North Korea through sanctions. "Hopefully positive things will be taking place with respect to the future of North Korea," he said. "But if they don't, we are more ready than we have ever been before." Trump said the US, South Korea and Japan were ready to respond to "should foolish or reckless acts be taken by North Korea." "In the meantime, our very strong sanctions, by far the strongest sanctions ever imposed, and maximum pressure campaign will continue," Trump added. "I am ready to tackle North Korea," the US president declared. Meanwhile, South Korean President Moon Jae-in convened emergency talks with his top security aides after Trump cancelled his summit, Yonhap news agency reported. Officials in Seoul "are trying to figure out what President Trump's intention is and the exact meaning of it", Yonhap reported. "We have a wonderful dialogue (Kim Jong-un). We have a wonderful - there's been very good working relationship. It started with the hostages coming back home. The hostages came home. We didn't have to pay. We wouldn't have paid. But they came back home," the US president told reporters. "But I really believe we have a great opportunity. We'll see whether or not that opportunity is seized by North Korea. If it is, great for them and great for the world. If it isn't, it'll be just fine," Trump declared. Earlier, in a letter to Kim, the US president wrote,"sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting."

After cancelling talks with Kim, Trump warns North Korea against committing 'foolish or reckless acts'

Ahead of Trump and Kim's summit talks, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-dismantling-nuclear-site-report-139434">North Korea state-run news agency</a> KCNA said today the country&nbsp;had completely dismantled its Punggye-ri nuclear test ground.

KCNA added that the dismantling of the nuclear test ground had completely closed the two tunnel entrances which were ready for use in "powerful underground nuclear tests".

"The nuclear weapons Institute of the DPRK(North Korea) held a ceremony for completely dismantling the northern nuclear test ground on May 24... to ensure transparency of the discontinuance of nuclear test," KCNA news agency reported.

North Korea's nuclear weapons institute said no leakage of radiation had been detected.

"Dismantling the nuclear test ground was done in such a way as to make all the tunnels of the test ground collapse by explosion and completely close the tunnel entrances, and at the same time, explode some guard facilities and observation posts on the site,"&nbsp;the institute declared.

North Korea had invited the foreign media to witness the destruction of the Punggye-ri nuclear test ground. North Korea had tested at least six nuclear weapons in the site.

South Korea Yonhap news agency said multiple explosions were heard throughout the day, beginning at 11am (0300 GMT) until 4.17pm. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
US President Trump had insisted on "denuclearisation" of North Korea as a precondition for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

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South Korea Yonhap news agency said multiple explosions were heard throughout the day, beginning at 11am (0300 GMT) until 4.17pm.

Ahead of Trump and Kim's summit talks, North Korea state-run news agency KCNA said today the country had completely dismantled its Punggye-ri nuclear test ground. KCNA added that the dismantling of the nuclear test ground had completely closed the two tunnel entrances which were ready for use in "powerful underground nuclear tests". "The nuclear weapons Institute of the DPRK(North Korea) held a ceremony for completely dismantling the northern nuclear test ground on May 24... to ensure transparency of the discontinuance of nuclear test," KCNA news agency reported. North Korea's nuclear weapons institute said no leakage of radiation had been detected. "Dismantling the nuclear test ground was done in such a way as to make all the tunnels of the test ground collapse by explosion and completely close the tunnel entrances, and at the same time, explode some guard facilities and observation posts on the site," the institute declared. North Korea had invited the foreign media to witness the destruction of the Punggye-ri nuclear test ground. North Korea had tested at least six nuclear weapons in the site. South Korea Yonhap news agency said multiple explosions were heard throughout the day, beginning at 11am (0300 GMT) until 4.17pm. US President Trump had insisted on "denuclearisation" of North Korea as a precondition for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Punggye-ri nuclear test site completely dismantled, says state-run North Korean media

Ahead of Kim and Trump's summit, North Korea today began the process of dismantling its nuclear sites, the foreign media invited to witness it said.

The destruction of the nuclear sites is taking place in Punggye-ri where North Korea has tested at least six nuclear weapons.

North Korea had declared its intention to dismantle its nuclear arsenal during Kim's meeting with South Korean president Moon.

President Trump had insisted on "denuclearisation" of North Korea as a precondition for talks with North Korean leader Kim.

South Korea Yonhap news agency said multiple explosions were heard throughout the day, beginning at 11am (0300 GMT) until 4.17pm.&nbsp;

The destruction of the nuclear sites is taking place in Punggye-ri where North Korea has tested at least six nuclear weapons.

Ahead of Kim and Trump's summit, North Korea today began the process of dismantling its nuclear sites, the foreign media invited to witness it said. The destruction of the nuclear sites is taking place in Punggye-ri where North Korea has tested at least six nuclear weapons. North Korea had declared its intention to dismantle its nuclear arsenal during Kim's meeting with South Korean president Moon. President Trump had insisted on "denuclearisation" of North Korea as a precondition for talks with North Korean leader Kim. South Korea Yonhap news agency said multiple explosions were heard throughout the day, beginning at 11am (0300 GMT) until 4.17pm.

North Korea dismantling nuclear site: Report

Foreign journalists arrived in Punggye-ri, North Korea today with Kim's regime set to start the demolition of its nuclear site.

The dismantling of nuclear weapons is being seen as a "gesture of goodwill" by Kim ahead of his summit talks with Trump next month which the US president now says could be delayed.

The demolition of the site at &nbspPunggye-ri is set to start in either on Thursday or Friday. Kim's regime had threatened to pull out of talks with Trump last week after it said US should not pressure it to denuclearise and also it should stop joint military drills with South Korea.

South Korean leader Moon Jae-in is playing the role of interlocutor between Trump and Kim but the US president on Tuesday seemed to suggest the talks would be delayed indefinitely.

However, experts believe both Kim and Trump are playing poker ahead of the talks in order to extract something substantial after their meeting and putting their point of view before finally shaking hands.&nbsp

It is being seen as a game of who takes the "upper hand" as June 12th - the day of the talks draws near.

Trump and Kim but the US president on Tuesday seemed to suggest the talks would be delayed indefinitely.

Foreign journalists arrived in Punggye-ri, North Korea today with Kim's regime set to start the demolition of its nuclear site. The dismantling of nuclear weapons is being seen as a "gesture of goodwill" by Kim ahead of his summit talks with Trump next month which the US president now says could be delayed. The demolition of the site at &nbspPunggye-ri is set to start in either on Thursday or Friday. Kim's regime had threatened to pull out of talks with Trump last week after it said US should not pressure it to denuclearise and also it should stop joint military drills with South Korea. South Korean leader Moon Jae-in is playing the role of interlocutor between Trump and Kim but the US president on Tuesday seemed to suggest the talks would be delayed indefinitely. However, experts believe both Kim and Trump are playing poker ahead of the talks in order to extract something substantial after their meeting and putting their point of view before finally shaking hands. It is being seen as a game of who takes the "upper hand" as June 12th - the day of the talks draws near.

Foreign journalists arrive in North Korea ahead of nuclear site demolition

Even as the US declared<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-willing-to-walk-away-from-north-korea-summit-says-mike-pence-138805"> today that it could call off meeting</a>&nbsp;with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, US missile destroyer USS Milius arrived in Japan today to "reinforce defences".

The warships arrived in<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-kim-summit-in-play-as-moon-visits-white-house-138837"> Yokosuka Naval Base ahead</a> of President Trump and Kim Jong Un's much hyped June 12th meeting in Singapore.

The Milius joined two other warships in the Seventh Fleet close to North Korean waters.&nbsp;

"What the Milius has now is the latest and greatest upgrade for the combat system," Commander Jennifer Pontius, the ship's captain was quoted as saying to Reuters.

"It creates increased capacity in various mission areas such as ballistic missile defence, electronic warfare, undersea warfare and air warfare, " Pontius added.

Kim had raised the stakes last week after the North Korean government declared that it would call off talks if the US insisted on&nbsp;“unilateral nuclear abandonment.”

North Korea had also objected to joint military drills between the US and South Korea ahead of the talks. Even then, US officials have said they are preparing for summit talks between the two leaders next month.

Vice President said today the US would "walk away"&nbsp;from talks if North Korea&nbsp;sought concessions from the US it did not intend to keep.

Kim had raised the stakes last week after the North Korean government declared that it would call off talks

Even as the US declared today that it could call off meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, US missile destroyer USS Milius arrived in Japan today to "reinforce defences". The warships arrived in Yokosuka Naval Base ahead of President Trump and Kim Jong Un's much hyped June 12th meeting in Singapore. The Milius joined two other warships in the Seventh Fleet close to North Korean waters. "What the Milius has now is the latest and greatest upgrade for the combat system," Commander Jennifer Pontius, the ship's captain was quoted as saying to Reuters. "It creates increased capacity in various mission areas such as ballistic missile defence, electronic warfare, undersea warfare and air warfare, " Pontius added. Kim had raised the stakes last week after the North Korean government declared that it would call off talks if the US insisted on “unilateral nuclear abandonment.” North Korea had also objected to joint military drills between the US and South Korea ahead of the talks. Even then, US officials have said they are preparing for summit talks between the two leaders next month. Vice President said today the US would "walk away" from talks if North Korea sought concessions from the US it did not intend to keep.

Watch: Ahead of Trump-Kim talks, US bolsters Seventh Fleet near Japan

South Korea held a meeting on Friday to discuss on reducing the impact of the United States' decision to exit the 2015 nuclear deal with 
Iran on local economic affairs.

As reported by the Yonhap news agency on Saturday, a session was hosted Deputy Foreign Minister for economic affairs Yun Kang-Hyeon where they discussed strategies to deal with changing dynamics of the nuclear deal and its impact on their country.

Following exit from the nuclear deal, the United States had announced the imposition of sanctions on Tehran with firms given 90-day or 180-day grace periods, depending on their business sector.

Such economic measures are bound to impact Iran's trade relation with other countries including South Korea.

Meanwhile, South Korea is planning to meet relevant agencies in the United States to ensure wavering of the sanctions on Iran.

"The government will make constant efforts based on close cooperation among relevant authorities to minimize effects from future U.S. steps to the South Korean economy and firms with business ties with Iran," the ministry said.

Iran said Saturday it would wait to see whether Europe produces tangible results in overcoming US sanctions before deciding whether to stay in the nuclear deal, as a top EU official visited Tehran to present plans to maintain trade ties.

"The ball is in the court of the EU. They have presented different proposals, we will see if they materialise," Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation head Ali Akbar Salehi told reporters.

Iran has threatened to resume industrial uranium enrichment "without limit" unless its interests are preserved.

Salehi said the Iranian people had lost trust in the nuclear agreement, and if trade benefits were not protected "they will lose more confidence... and we will be forced to leave."

European leaders have outlined measures to protect EU firms from US sanctions.

But several of their companies -- including France's Total and Holland's Maersk -- have already said it will be impossible to stay in Iran once US sanctions are reimposed unless they receive explicit exemptions from Washington.

Following exit from the nuclear deal, the United States had announced the imposition of sanctions on Tehran with firms given 90-day or 180-day grace periods, depending on their business sector

South Korea held a meeting on Friday to discuss on reducing the impact of the United States' decision to exit the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran on local economic affairs. As reported by the Yonhap news agency on Saturday, a session was hosted Deputy Foreign Minister for economic affairs Yun Kang-Hyeon where they discussed strategies to deal with changing dynamics of the nuclear deal and its impact on their country. Following exit from the nuclear deal, the United States had announced the imposition of sanctions on Tehran with firms given 90-day or 180-day grace periods, depending on their business sector. Such economic measures are bound to impact Iran's trade relation with other countries including South Korea. Meanwhile, South Korea is planning to meet relevant agencies in the United States to ensure wavering of the sanctions on Iran. "The government will make constant efforts based on close cooperation among relevant authorities to minimize effects from future U.S. steps to the South Korean economy and firms with business ties with Iran," the ministry said. Iran said Saturday it would wait to see whether Europe produces tangible results in overcoming US sanctions before deciding whether to stay in the nuclear deal, as a top EU official visited Tehran to present plans to maintain trade ties. "The ball is in the court of the EU. They have presented different proposals, we will see if they materialise," Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation head Ali Akbar Salehi told reporters. Iran has threatened to resume industrial uranium enrichment "without limit" unless its interests are preserved. Salehi said the Iranian people had lost trust in the nuclear agreement, and if trade benefits were not protected "they will lose more confidence... and we will be forced to leave." European leaders have outlined measures to protect EU firms from US sanctions. But several of their companies -- including France's Total and Holland's Maersk -- have already said it will be impossible to stay in Iran once US sanctions are reimposed unless they receive explicit exemptions from Washington.

US exit from Iran deal to impact South Korean economy

The chairman of LG Group, Koo Bon-moo, who helped transform South Korea's fourth-largest conglomerate into a global brand, passed away on Sunday after a battle with a brain disease.

Koo, 73, had been ill for a year, LG Group said in a statement.

Koo had been fighting a brain disease and had undergone surgery, said a group official who declined to be identified.

"Becoming the third chairman of LG at the age of 50 in 1995, Koo established three key businesses - electronics, chemicals and telecommunications - led a global company LG, and contributed to driving (South Korea`s) industrial competitiveness and national economic development," LG said.

LG Group also established a holding company in order to streamline ownership structure and to begin the process of succession.

The country's powerful family-run conglomerates are implementing generational succession amid growing calls from the government and public to improve transparency and corporate governance.

LG Corp, a holding company of the conglomerate, had said on Thursday its longtime chairman was unwell and it planned to nominate his son to its board of directors in preparation for a leadership succession.

Hier apparent

Heir apparent Koo Kwang-mo is from the fourth generation of LG Group`s controlling family. He owns 6 percent of LG Corp and currently heads LG Electronics' information display unit.&nbsp

He joined the finance division of LG Electronics in 2006 and has been involved in several businesses such as appliances, home entertainment and group strategy, LG said.

The late chairman adopted Koo in 2004 from his younger brother Koo Bon-neung after his only son died in a car accident.&nbsp

The change at the helm is not expected to be disruptive to the group`s business, one analyst told Reuters.

"Although Koo passed away at a relatively early age, his son has already been in a senior position and I don`t think there will be a big change in governance structure or strategic decisions," said Park Ju-gun, head of corporate analysis firm CEO Score.

Under Koo's leadership, the conglomerate changed its corporate brand to LG from Lucky Goldstar and sold LG's semiconductor business to Hyundai, now SK Hynix Inc, under government-led restructuring in the wake of the Asia financial crisis in the late 1990s.&nbsp

Major affiliates are LG Electronics Inc, display maker LG Display and electric car battery maker LG Chem.&nbsp

South Korean prosecutors said this month they raided LG Group`s head office as part of a probe into alleged tax evasion by family members controlling the conglomerate.

The company said Koo`s funeral would be held privately with family members. Visitors including Samsung Group heir Jay Y Lee have paid their condolences at his altar.

Koo, 73, had been ill for a year, LG Group said in a statement

The chairman of LG Group, Koo Bon-moo, who helped transform South Korea's fourth-largest conglomerate into a global brand, passed away on Sunday after a battle with a brain disease. Koo, 73, had been ill for a year, LG Group said in a statement. Koo had been fighting a brain disease and had undergone surgery, said a group official who declined to be identified. "Becoming the third chairman of LG at the age of 50 in 1995, Koo established three key businesses - electronics, chemicals and telecommunications - led a global company LG, and contributed to driving (South Korea`s) industrial competitiveness and national economic development," LG said. LG Group also established a holding company in order to streamline ownership structure and to begin the process of succession. The country's powerful family-run conglomerates are implementing generational succession amid growing calls from the government and public to improve transparency and corporate governance. LG Corp, a holding company of the conglomerate, had said on Thursday its longtime chairman was unwell and it planned to nominate his son to its board of directors in preparation for a leadership succession. Hier apparent Heir apparent Koo Kwang-mo is from the fourth generation of LG Group`s controlling family. He owns 6 percent of LG Corp and currently heads LG Electronics' information display unit. He joined the finance division of LG Electronics in 2006 and has been involved in several businesses such as appliances, home entertainment and group strategy, LG said. The late chairman adopted Koo in 2004 from his younger brother Koo Bon-neung after his only son died in a car accident. The change at the helm is not expected to be disruptive to the group`s business, one analyst told Reuters. "Although Koo passed away at a relatively early age, his son has already been in a senior position and I don`t think there will be a big change in governance structure or strategic decisions," said Park Ju-gun, head of corporate analysis firm CEO Score. Under Koo's leadership, the conglomerate changed its corporate brand to LG from Lucky Goldstar and sold LG's semiconductor business to Hyundai, now SK Hynix Inc, under government-led restructuring in the wake of the Asia financial crisis in the late 1990s. Major affiliates are LG Electronics Inc, display maker LG Display and electric car battery maker LG Chem. South Korean prosecutors said this month they raided LG Group`s head office as part of a probe into alleged tax evasion by family members controlling the conglomerate. The company said Koo`s funeral would be held privately with family members. Visitors including Samsung Group heir Jay Y Lee have paid their condolences at his altar.

LG Group chairman Koo Bon-moo dies from illness at 73

After making high-profile <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-offers-to-mediate-to-clear-doubts-over-north-korea-us-summit-137708">peace overtures towards South Korea</a> and amid a peace summit with Trump next month, North Korea's minister again lashed out at its "ignorant" neighbour in the south denouncing it as "incompetent".

Ri Son Gwon, chairman of North <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-threatens-to-cancel-us-summit-137331">Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification</a>, criticised the South for conducting joint military drills once again with the US after earlier warnings to pull out of talks with Trump in Singapore next month.

"Unless the serious situation which led to the suspension of the north-south high-level talks is settled, it will never be easy to sit face to face again with the present regime of South Korea," North's KCNA news agency said in a statement.

North Korea had said earlier that it might not attend the June 12 summit with Trump and South Korean president&nbspMoon&nbspif the military drills do not stop and the US on its part continues to prod&nbspit to dismantle its nuclear arsenal.

"On this opportunity, the present South Korean authorities have been clearly proven to be an ignorant and incompetent group devoid of the elementary sense of the present situation," Ri's statement said.

Despite this, the US said it continues to prepare for next month's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.&nbsp

Heather Nauert, State Department spokeswoman, said: "we will continue to go ahead and plan the meeting between president Trump and Kim Jong-Un."

Meanwhile, Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House next week with efforts underway by both countries to bring Kim to the negotiating&nbsptable in order to help "denuclearise" the Korean peninsula.

However, North Korea's current mood has made several experts sceptical. Kim's regime is especially against US-South Korean "Max Thunder" air combat drills. The exercise reportedly involves US stealth fighters, B-52 bombers and "nuclear assets".

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Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House next week with efforts underway by both countries to bring Kim to the table

After making high-profile peace overtures towards South Korea and amid a peace summit with Trump next month, North Korea's minister again lashed out at its "ignorant" neighbour in the south denouncing it as "incompetent". Ri Son Gwon, chairman of North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification, criticised the South for conducting joint military drills once again with the US after earlier warnings to pull out of talks with Trump in Singapore next month. "Unless the serious situation which led to the suspension of the north-south high-level talks is settled, it will never be easy to sit face to face again with the present regime of South Korea," North's KCNA news agency said in a statement. North Korea had said earlier that it might not attend the June 12 summit with Trump and South Korean president&nbspMoon&nbspif the military drills do not stop and the US on its part continues to prod&nbspit to dismantle its nuclear arsenal. "On this opportunity, the present South Korean authorities have been clearly proven to be an ignorant and incompetent group devoid of the elementary sense of the present situation," Ri's statement said. Despite this, the US said it continues to prepare for next month's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Heather Nauert, State Department spokeswoman, said: "we will continue to go ahead and plan the meeting between president Trump and Kim Jong-Un." Meanwhile, Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House next week with efforts underway by both countries to bring Kim to the negotiating&nbsptable in order to help "denuclearise" the Korean peninsula. However, North Korea's current mood has made several experts sceptical. Kim's regime is especially against US-South Korean "Max Thunder" air combat drills. The exercise reportedly involves US stealth fighters, B-52 bombers and "nuclear assets".

North Korea again lashes out at 'incompetent' South Korea over military drills with US

You could call it the great Korean hiccup, with the caveat that these things have happened before.&nbsp;The apparent trigger was a week-long Air Force exercise involving the US and South Korea. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The North slammed it in its typical fashion: &nbsp;A grim news reader on state-run television warning that "the United States will have to undertake careful deliberations about the fate of the planned North Korea-US summit in light of this provocative military ruckus jointly conducted with the South Korean authorities." 
&nbsp; 
The North Korean statement was actually a double whammy! &nbsp;

Earlier the North had suspended high-level official talks to be held on Wednesday. &nbsp;The South had reason to be puzzled as Kim Jong-Un had indicated he understood why the US and South Korea held joint military exercises. &nbsp;

The hint was he would not object but how does one explain the turnaround? 
&nbsp; 
The pundits on the peninsula suspect Kim maybe opening his cards on the US demand for "unilateral de-nuclearisation". &nbsp;Kim probably wanted to forewarn Trump on what to expect when they sit down for the June summit. &nbsp; &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The US responded cautiously, saying it had not heard anything from Seoul or Pyongyang and was proceeding according to the plan. &nbsp;

Heather Nauert, State Department spokeswoman, had said: "we will continue to go ahead and plan the meeting between president Trump and Kim Jong-Un." 
&nbsp; 
What does the mercurial "rocket man" want? Clearly, he wants to keep his nuclear weapons, his refusal to spell out his views on de-nuclearisation so far may have been deliberate, intended to reap the harvest of goodwill generated by his decision to stop nuclear testing. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Now, rocket man Kim is apparently willing to play. &nbsp;Fittingly he began in Punggye-Ri, where he has so far tested six nuclear devices.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Satellite images of the Punggye-Ri test site in the eastern part of the country show some dismantling work in progress but this has not been extended to the nuclear reactor and uranium enrichment facility in Yongbyon or the missile factory at the military base in Hwange province.

The US is clear about what it wants, a point reiterated by national security adviserJohnn Bolton who said: "what ports should American freighters sail into and what airbases should American cargo planes land at so that we can dismantle your nuclear weapons program, put it in those planes and boats and sail it back to America to put it at oak ridge, Tennessee."

Bolton was referring to the Libyan model, the terms and conditions under which in 2003 and 2004, Libya was stripped of its nuclear material, equipment and uranium in return for sanctions being eased. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"Rocket man" may want something more tangible from the US such as withdrawal of all US forces from South Korea and a nuclear guarantee which is exactly what nuclear guarantee means is not clear maybe a promise his regime will not be targeted, its survival is guaranteed, an end to all sanctions and so on. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
North Korea has many advantages unlike Libya, its nuclear weapons programme is advanced and it has developed and demonstrated its weapons including those that can reach the US. &nbsp;

Kim will also ensure any "de-nuclearization" is phased out with access to sites controlled by him. &nbsp;A deal on de-nuclearization could start with a moratorium on further tests, which Kim announced last month. &nbsp;

It could be followed by a freeze on the production of nuclear materials and the rollback of warhead stocks. &nbsp;This was roughly the experience with the Libyan model. &nbsp;Let's see what shape the Korean model could take but be prepared for anything even a complete reversal of what we've seen so far.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Now rocket man Kim is apparently willing to play. Fittingly he began in Punggye-Ri, where he has so far tested six nuclear devices.

You could call it the great Korean hiccup, with the caveat that these things have happened before. The apparent trigger was a week-long Air Force exercise involving the US and South Korea. The North slammed it in its typical fashion: A grim news reader on state-run television warning that "the United States will have to undertake careful deliberations about the fate of the planned North Korea-US summit in light of this provocative military ruckus jointly conducted with the South Korean authorities." The North Korean statement was actually a double whammy! Earlier the North had suspended high-level official talks to be held on Wednesday. The South had reason to be puzzled as Kim Jong-Un had indicated he understood why the US and South Korea held joint military exercises. The hint was he would not object but how does one explain the turnaround? The pundits on the peninsula suspect Kim maybe opening his cards on the US demand for "unilateral de-nuclearisation". Kim probably wanted to forewarn Trump on what to expect when they sit down for the June summit. The US responded cautiously, saying it had not heard anything from Seoul or Pyongyang and was proceeding according to the plan. Heather Nauert, State Department spokeswoman, had said: "we will continue to go ahead and plan the meeting between president Trump and Kim Jong-Un." What does the mercurial "rocket man" want? Clearly, he wants to keep his nuclear weapons, his refusal to spell out his views on de-nuclearisation so far may have been deliberate, intended to reap the harvest of goodwill generated by his decision to stop nuclear testing. Now, rocket man Kim is apparently willing to play. Fittingly he began in Punggye-Ri, where he has so far tested six nuclear devices. Satellite images of the Punggye-Ri test site in the eastern part of the country show some dismantling work in progress but this has not been extended to the nuclear reactor and uranium enrichment facility in Yongbyon or the missile factory at the military base in Hwange province. The US is clear about what it wants, a point reiterated by national security adviserJohnn Bolton who said: "what ports should American freighters sail into and what airbases should American cargo planes land at so that we can dismantle your nuclear weapons program, put it in those planes and boats and sail it back to America to put it at oak ridge, Tennessee." Bolton was referring to the Libyan model, the terms and conditions under which in 2003 and 2004, Libya was stripped of its nuclear material, equipment and uranium in return for sanctions being eased. "Rocket man" may want something more tangible from the US such as withdrawal of all US forces from South Korea and a nuclear guarantee which is exactly what nuclear guarantee means is not clear maybe a promise his regime will not be targeted, its survival is guaranteed, an end to all sanctions and so on. North Korea has many advantages unlike Libya, its nuclear weapons programme is advanced and it has developed and demonstrated its weapons including those that can reach the US. Kim will also ensure any "de-nuclearization" is phased out with access to sites controlled by him. A deal on de-nuclearization could start with a moratorium on further tests, which Kim announced last month. It could be followed by a freeze on the production of nuclear materials and the rollback of warhead stocks. This was roughly the experience with the Libyan model. Let's see what shape the Korean model could take but be prepared for anything even a complete reversal of what we've seen so far. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion - North Korean hiccup: US should apply 'Libyan model' on North Korea

South Korea said on Thursday it intends to play the role of mediator after North Korea threatened to pull out of a summit with the United States aimed at the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

North Korea on Wednesday said it might not attend the June 12 summit in Singapore if the United States continued to demand it unilaterally abandon its nuclear arsenal, which it has developed in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions to counter perceived US&nbsphostility.

Doubts over the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US&nbspPresident Donald Trump arose on Wednesday when Pyongyang denounced US-South Korean military exercises as a provocation and called off high-level talks with Seoul.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told parliament that North Korea and the United States had differences of views over how to achieve denuclearisation. Trump acknowledged on Wednesday it was unclear if the summit would go ahead.

"It is true that there are differences of opinion between the North and the United States on methods to accomplish denuclearisation," Kang told lawmakers, according to Yonhap News Agency.

A South Korean presidential Blue House official said the South intends to more actively perform "the role of a mediator" between the United States and North Korea.

Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House on May 22.

The Blue House intends to "sufficiently convey (to the United States) what we've discerned about North Korea's position and attitude... and sufficiently convey the United States' position to North Korea", thereby helping to bridge the gap, the official said.

Asked if she trusted Kim Jong Un, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang said: "Yes."

Japan's Asahi newspaper reported that the United States had demanded North Korea ship some nuclear warheads, an intercontinental ballistic missile and other nuclear material overseas within six months.

The newspaper, citing several sources familiar with North Korea, said US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared to have told the North Korean leader when they met this month that Pyongyang might be removed from a list of state sponsors of terrorism if it complied.

The Asahi also reported that if North Korea agreed to complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation at the Singapore summit, Washington was considering giving guarantees for Kim's regime.

China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, said the measures North Korea has taken to ease tension should be acknowledged, and all other parties, especially the United States, should cherish the opportunity for peace.

Cancellation of the summit, the first between US&nbspand North Korean leaders, would deal a major blow to what could be the biggest diplomatic achievement of Trump's presidency.

This comes at a time his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has drawn criticism internationally and moving the US&nbspembassy in Israel to Jerusalem has fuelled deadly violence on the Israel-Gaza border.

North Korea defends its nuclear and missile programmes as a deterrent against perceived aggression by the United States, which keeps 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

The North has long said it is open to eventually giving up its nuclear arsenal if the United States withdraws its troops from South Korea and ends its “nuclear umbrella” alliance with Seoul.

North Korea said it was pulling out of the talks with South Korea after denouncing U.S.-South Korean "Max Thunder" air combat drills, which it said involved US&nbspstealth fighters, B-52 bombers and "nuclear assets".

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, UN&nbspSecretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “I hope that in the end common sense will prevail, and the summit will take place and it will be successful."

Doubts over the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump arose on Wednesday when Pyongyang denounced US-South Korean military exercises

South Korea said on Thursday it intends to play the role of mediator after North Korea threatened to pull out of a summit with the United States aimed at the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. North Korea on Wednesday said it might not attend the June 12 summit in Singapore if the United States continued to demand it unilaterally abandon its nuclear arsenal, which it has developed in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions to counter perceived US&nbsphostility. Doubts over the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US&nbspPresident Donald Trump arose on Wednesday when Pyongyang denounced US-South Korean military exercises as a provocation and called off high-level talks with Seoul. South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha told parliament that North Korea and the United States had differences of views over how to achieve denuclearisation. Trump acknowledged on Wednesday it was unclear if the summit would go ahead. "It is true that there are differences of opinion between the North and the United States on methods to accomplish denuclearisation," Kang told lawmakers, according to Yonhap News Agency. A South Korean presidential Blue House official said the South intends to more actively perform "the role of a mediator" between the United States and North Korea. Trump will host South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White House on May 22. The Blue House intends to "sufficiently convey (to the United States) what we've discerned about North Korea's position and attitude... and sufficiently convey the United States' position to North Korea", thereby helping to bridge the gap, the official said. Asked if she trusted Kim Jong Un, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang said: "Yes." Japan's Asahi newspaper reported that the United States had demanded North Korea ship some nuclear warheads, an intercontinental ballistic missile and other nuclear material overseas within six months. The newspaper, citing several sources familiar with North Korea, said US&nbspSecretary of State Mike Pompeo appeared to have told the North Korean leader when they met this month that Pyongyang might be removed from a list of state sponsors of terrorism if it complied. The Asahi also reported that if North Korea agreed to complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation at the Singapore summit, Washington was considering giving guarantees for Kim's regime. China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, said the measures North Korea has taken to ease tension should be acknowledged, and all other parties, especially the United States, should cherish the opportunity for peace. Cancellation of the summit, the first between US&nbspand North Korean leaders, would deal a major blow to what could be the biggest diplomatic achievement of Trump's presidency. This comes at a time his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal has drawn criticism internationally and moving the US&nbspembassy in Israel to Jerusalem has fuelled deadly violence on the Israel-Gaza border. North Korea defends its nuclear and missile programmes as a deterrent against perceived aggression by the United States, which keeps 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The North has long said it is open to eventually giving up its nuclear arsenal if the United States withdraws its troops from South Korea and ends its “nuclear umbrella” alliance with Seoul. North Korea said it was pulling out of the talks with South Korea after denouncing U.S.-South Korean "Max Thunder" air combat drills, which it said involved US&nbspstealth fighters, B-52 bombers and "nuclear assets". Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Wednesday, UN&nbspSecretary-General Antonio Guterres said: “I hope that in the end common sense will prevail, and the summit will take place and it will be successful."

South Korea offers to mediate to clear doubts over North Korea-US summit

'<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/natak-in-karnataka-continues-jds-congress-combine-and-bjp-to-meet-governor-again-today-137223">Natak'&nbsp;in Karnataka continues: JD(S)-Congress combine, and BJP to meet Governor again today</a>

The drama in Karnataka will continue on Wednesday with both the JD(S)-Congress combine and the BJP meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala today to stake their claims to forming a government.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/varanasi-flyover-collapse-15-dead-11-critically-injured-probe-committee-to-file-report-in-48-hours-137212">Varanasi flyover collapse: 15 dead, 11 critically injured committee to file probe report in 48 hours</a>

15 people have been feared dead and 11 injured after an under-construction bridge in Varanasi collapsed on Tuesday. After being held responsible for the incident, chief project manager HC Tiwari, project manager KR Sudan, assistant engineer Rajesh Singh and engineer Lal Chand have been suspended with immediate effect.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-suspends-talks-with-south-over-military-exercises-warns-on-trump-kim-summit-137211">North Korea calls off talks with South, says may do same with Trump-Kim summit</a>

A cloud has gathered over the upcoming North Korea-United States summit in the wake of recent military drills between South Korea and the US. After calling off Wednesday a scheduled Korean summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, according to media reports, has also hinted at calling off the United States summit which is scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-department-of-justice-fbi-begin-investigating-cambridge-analytica-following-shutdown-137214">US Department of Justice, FBI begin investigating Cambridge Analytica following </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-department-of-justice-fbi-begin-investigating-cambridge-analytica-following-shutdown-137214">shutdown</a>

The Department of Justice and the FBI have started investigating the data mining firm Cambridge Analytica which had announced its shut down last month due to the Facebook scandal.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/meghan-markles-father-pulls-out-of-royal-wedding-due-to-hearth-procedure-137216">Meghan Markle's father says he is having </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/meghan-markles-father-pulls-out-of-royal-wedding-due-to-hearth-procedure-137216">heart</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/features/meghan-markles-father-pulls-out-of-royal-wedding-due-to-hearth-procedure-137216"> procedure, so not coming to wedding</a>

After news of Actress Meghan Markle's father decided to pull out of the Royal wedding which is set to take place on Saturday, reports on Tuesday said that the reason behind his absence is because he needed a heart procedure.&nbsp;

Read the top five stories of the day here

'Natak' in Karnataka continues: JD(S)-Congress combine, and BJP to meet Governor again today The drama in Karnataka will continue on Wednesday with both the JD(S)-Congress combine and the BJP meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala today to stake their claims to forming a government. Varanasi flyover collapse: 15 dead, 11 critically injured committee to file probe report in 48 hours 15 people have been feared dead and 11 injured after an under-construction bridge in Varanasi collapsed on Tuesday. After being held responsible for the incident, chief project manager HC Tiwari, project manager KR Sudan, assistant engineer Rajesh Singh and engineer Lal Chand have been suspended with immediate effect. North Korea calls off talks with South, says may do same with Trump-Kim summit A cloud has gathered over the upcoming North Korea-United States summit in the wake of recent military drills between South Korea and the US. After calling off Wednesday a scheduled Korean summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, according to media reports, has also hinted at calling off the United States summit which is scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. US Department of Justice, FBI begin investigating Cambridge Analytica following shutdown The Department of Justice and the FBI have started investigating the data mining firm Cambridge Analytica which had announced its shut down last month due to the Facebook scandal. Meghan Markle's father says he is having heart procedure, so not coming to wedding After news of Actress Meghan Markle's father decided to pull out of the Royal wedding which is set to take place on Saturday, reports on Tuesday said that the reason behind his absence is because he needed a heart procedure.

News brief: Five big stories of the day

India's minister of state for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-threatens-to-cancel-us-summit-137331">external affairs General VK Singh</a> visited North Korea from May 15-16.

India and North Korea had established diplomatic relations in December, 1973, this year marks the 45th anniversary of relations between the two countries.

The moves comes as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-suspends-talks-with-south-over-military-exercises-warns-on-trump-kim-summit-137211">President Trump is due to meet</a> North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore next month. Kim had met South&nbsp;Korean president&nbsp;&nbsp;Moon Jae-in along the DMZ last month and had announced moves to "denuclearize" his country.&nbsp;

During the visit, VK Singh held discussions with the Kim Yong Dae, vice-president of the praesidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Ri Yong Ho and foreign minister Pak Chun Nam.

India's external affairs minister also met with North Korea's minister of culture and vice foreign minister and discussed a range of issues covering political, regional, economic, educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The North Korean side provided an overview of some of the recent developments in the Korean Peninsula, sources said.

On his part, VK Singh reiterated India’s support to the joint peace initiative between North and South Korea encouraging both sides for their efforts towards establishment of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.&nbsp;

VK Singh also highlighted the threat from nuclear proliferation, in particular, India's concern in the context of the proliferation linkages with India's neighbourhood, sources added.

The North Korean side emphasized that "as a friendly country it will never allow any action that would create concerns for India's security."

The North Korean side provided an overview of some of the recent developments in the Korean Peninsula, sources said.

India's minister of state for external affairs General VK Singh visited North Korea from May 15-16. India and North Korea had established diplomatic relations in December, 1973, this year marks the 45th anniversary of relations between the two countries. The moves comes as President Trump is due to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore next month. Kim had met South Korean president Moon Jae-in along the DMZ last month and had announced moves to "denuclearize" his country. During the visit, VK Singh held discussions with the Kim Yong Dae, vice-president of the praesidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, Ri Yong Ho and foreign minister Pak Chun Nam. India's external affairs minister also met with North Korea's minister of culture and vice foreign minister and discussed a range of issues covering political, regional, economic, educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries. The North Korean side provided an overview of some of the recent developments in the Korean Peninsula, sources said. On his part, VK Singh reiterated India’s support to the joint peace initiative between North and South Korea encouraging both sides for their efforts towards establishment of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. VK Singh also highlighted the threat from nuclear proliferation, in particular, India's concern in the context of the proliferation linkages with India's neighbourhood, sources added. The North Korean side emphasized that "as a friendly country it will never allow any action that would create concerns for India's security."

In a first, India's minister VK Singh visits North Korea, meets top officials

North Korea will participate with the international organisation in its effort on a complete ban on nuclear tests.&nbsp;

The North Korean ambassador to the United States in Geneva, Han Tae Song said this in a conference on Disarmament on Tuesday.&nbsp;

He said, "Discontinuation of nuclear tests and follow up measures are an important process for global disarmament and DPRK will join international disarmament efforts for a total ban on nuclear tests".

North Korea and South Korea will hold high-level inter-Korea talks on May 16 where the two countries will discuss measures to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone last month. The leaders met in a summit that was held between the two countries in over a decade. The meeting aimed at "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula.

He said, 'Discontinuation of nuclear tests and follow up measures are an important process for global disarmament and DPRK will join international disarmament efforts for a total ban on nuclear tests'

North Korea will participate with the international organisation in its effort on a complete ban on nuclear tests. The North Korean ambassador to the United States in Geneva, Han Tae Song said this in a conference on Disarmament on Tuesday. He said, "Discontinuation of nuclear tests and follow up measures are an important process for global disarmament and DPRK will join international disarmament efforts for a total ban on nuclear tests". North Korea and South Korea will hold high-level inter-Korea talks on May 16 where the two countries will discuss measures to denuclearise the Korean peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in met at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone last month. The leaders met in a summit that was held between the two countries in over a decade. The meeting aimed at "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula.

North Korea will join 'efforts for total ban on nuclear tests'

North Korea and South Korea agreed on Tuesday to hold high-level inter-Korea talks on May 16 to discuss steps needed to uphold the pledge to denuclearise the Korean peninsula, South Korea`s Unification Ministry said.&nbsp

The meeting will discuss specific plans needed to carry out the April 27 inter-Korea summit declaration, which includes pledges to finally end a seven-decade war this year, and pursue "complete denuclearisation".

"The South and North will hold a high-level inter-Korea meeting on May 16 in the Peace House in Panmunjom, to discuss implementation of `Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula," the Unification Ministry said in a statement.

The meeting would be the latest in a series of actions taken by North Korea that have spurred hopes that the seven-decade conflict on the Korean Peninsula may be coming to an end.&nbsp

North Korea has scheduled the dismantlement of its nuclear bomb test site for sometime between May 23-25 in order to uphold its pledge to discontinue nuclear tests, the country`s state media reported on Saturday, a month ahead of a planned North Korea-U.S. summit in Singapore.

U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet on June 12, a scenario that seemed improbable given the insults and threats exchanged between the two leaders in the past year.&nbsp

Wednesday`s inter-Korea talks will see North Korea send a 29-member delegation led by Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the ‘Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the country`. Also in the delegation will be Kim Yun-hyok, vice minister of Railways, and Won Kil-U, vice minister of Physical Culture and Sports.

From South Korea, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon will led a team of five.&nbsp

The meeting will discuss specific plans needed to carry out the April 27 inter-Korea summit declaration, which includes pledges to finally end a seven-decade war this year, and pursue 'complete denuclearisation'

North Korea and South Korea agreed on Tuesday to hold high-level inter-Korea talks on May 16 to discuss steps needed to uphold the pledge to denuclearise the Korean peninsula, South Korea`s Unification Ministry said. The meeting will discuss specific plans needed to carry out the April 27 inter-Korea summit declaration, which includes pledges to finally end a seven-decade war this year, and pursue "complete denuclearisation". "The South and North will hold a high-level inter-Korea meeting on May 16 in the Peace House in Panmunjom, to discuss implementation of `Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula," the Unification Ministry said in a statement. The meeting would be the latest in a series of actions taken by North Korea that have spurred hopes that the seven-decade conflict on the Korean Peninsula may be coming to an end. North Korea has scheduled the dismantlement of its nuclear bomb test site for sometime between May 23-25 in order to uphold its pledge to discontinue nuclear tests, the country`s state media reported on Saturday, a month ahead of a planned North Korea-U.S. summit in Singapore. U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet on June 12, a scenario that seemed improbable given the insults and threats exchanged between the two leaders in the past year. Wednesday`s inter-Korea talks will see North Korea send a 29-member delegation led by Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the ‘Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the country`. Also in the delegation will be Kim Yun-hyok, vice minister of Railways, and Won Kil-U, vice minister of Physical Culture and Sports. From South Korea, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon will led a team of five.

North, South Korea to hold high-level inter-Korea talks on May 16

The mega event hosted by Russia will be keenly followed by thousands of fans around the world

FIFA 2018: All you need to know about 21st edition of football World Cup

As the three American <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-emerging-as-likely-option-for-trump-kim-summit-us-official-135819">prisoners released by North Korea</a> arrived in Alaska today, US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night saying he was looking forward to greeting the "hostages" - who he termed as "no longer".

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Looking forward to greeting the Hostages (no longer) at 2:00 A.M.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/994346538028675072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Americans were handed over to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his talks with President Trump next month.

"I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump had tweeted earlier.

A plane carrying the three men took off to at Andrews air base on Wednesday evening after a refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska.

President Trump had said he would be meeting the freed Americans at the Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday morning.

The Americans - &nbspKim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk - were in good health, Pompeo had said earlier.

The move by North Korea is being seen as a "goodwill gesture" is part of the groundwork as Trump and Kim prepare to meet for summit talks in June, although the US president is yet to announce the venue of his meeting.

A plane carrying the three men took off to at Andrews air base on Wednesday evening after a refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska.

As the three American prisoners released by North Korea arrived in Alaska today, US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night saying he was looking forward to greeting the "hostages" - who he termed as "no longer". Looking forward to greeting the Hostages (no longer) at 2:00 A.M. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2018 × The Americans were handed over to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his talks with President Trump next month. "I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump had tweeted earlier. A plane carrying the three men took off to at Andrews air base on Wednesday evening after a refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska. President Trump had said he would be meeting the freed Americans at the Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday morning. The Americans - &nbspKim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk - were in good health, Pompeo had said earlier. The move by North Korea is being seen as a "goodwill gesture" is part of the groundwork as Trump and Kim prepare to meet for summit talks in June, although the US president is yet to announce the venue of his meeting.

Watch: Trump prepares to meet US prisoners freed by North Korea

As the three American <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-emerging-as-likely-option-for-trump-kim-summit-us-official-135819">prisoners released by North Korea</a> arrived in Alaska today, US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night saying he was looking forward to greeting the "hostages" - who he termed as "no longer".

&nbsp

The Americans were handed over to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his talks with President Trump next month.

"I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump had tweeted earlier.

A plane carrying the three men took off to at Andrews air base on Wednesday evening after a refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska.

President Trump had said he would be meeting the freed Americans at the Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday morning.

The Americans - &nbspKim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk - were in good health, Pompeo had said earlier.

The move by North Korea is being seen as a "goodwill gesture" is part of the groundwork as Trump and Kim prepare to meet for summit talks in June, although the US president is yet to announce the venue of his meeting.

As the three American prisoners released by North Korea arrived in Alaska today, US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night saying he was looking forward to greeting the "hostages" - who he termed as "no longer".

As the three American prisoners released by North Korea arrived in Alaska today, US President Trump tweeted on Wednesday night saying he was looking forward to greeting the "hostages" - who he termed as "no longer". The Americans were handed over to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ahead of his talks with President Trump next month. "I am pleased to inform you that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is in the air and on his way back from North Korea with the 3 wonderful gentlemen that everyone is looking so forward to meeting. They seem to be in good health," Trump had tweeted earlier. A plane carrying the three men took off to at Andrews air base on Wednesday evening after a refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska. President Trump had said he would be meeting the freed Americans at the Andrews Air Force Base on Thursday morning. The Americans - &nbspKim Dong Chul, Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang Duk - were in good health, Pompeo had said earlier. The move by North Korea is being seen as a "goodwill gesture" is part of the groundwork as Trump and Kim prepare to meet for summit talks in June, although the US president is yet to announce the venue of his meeting.

After US President Trump rejected out the Demilitarised Zone(DMZ) on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-returning-from-north-korea-with-three-us-detainees-trump-135759">South and North Korean border </a>area as the possible venue for his summit talks with Kim Jong Un, a US official said Singapore has emerged has the likliest option for the key talks.

Newswire Reuters quoted a US official saying that&nbspSingapore is now an option&nbspfor the summit talks between the US President and the North Korean leader.

The US president had suddenly announced on March 8th that he had accepted an invitation to meet Kim Jong Un after South Korean president Moon relayed the message to the Trump at the White House.

Meanwhile, North Korean state media KCNA said the Trump summit is a "historic chance to build a good future".

President Trump on Wednesday while ruling out DMZ as the possible venue had said he will announce the venue in the "next three days".

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who met Kim on Wednesday said the two leaders could meet as part of a one-day summit, with the option to extend it to "second day" as well, he told reporters.

After meeting Kim, Pompeo was handed three American prisoners who have now reached the US.

Trump said he would greet them when they arrived at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington on Thursday morning.

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President Trump while ruling out DMZ as the possible venue had said he will announce the venue in the "next three days on Wednesday".

After US President Trump rejected out the Demilitarised Zone(DMZ) on the South and North Korean border area as the possible venue for his summit talks with Kim Jong Un, a US official said Singapore has emerged has the likliest option for the key talks. Newswire Reuters quoted a US official saying that&nbspSingapore is now an option&nbspfor the summit talks between the US President and the North Korean leader. The US president had suddenly announced on March 8th that he had accepted an invitation to meet Kim Jong Un after South Korean president Moon relayed the message to the Trump at the White House. Meanwhile, North Korean state media KCNA said the Trump summit is a "historic chance to build a good future". President Trump on Wednesday while ruling out DMZ as the possible venue had said he will announce the venue in the "next three days". Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who met Kim on Wednesday said the two leaders could meet as part of a one-day summit, with the option to extend it to "second day" as well, he told reporters. After meeting Kim, Pompeo was handed three American prisoners who have now reached the US. Trump said he would greet them when they arrived at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington on Thursday morning.

Singapore emerging as likely option for Trump-Kim summit: US official

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged US counterpart Donald Trump to take Pyongyang's "reasonable security concerns" into consideration, in a phone call Tuesday hours after Xi met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Xi told Trump that he supports the planned meeting between the US and North Korean leaders, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

The Chinees president "hopes the US and North Korea can work together, build mutual trust" and "consider North Korea's reasonable security concerns," the report said.

The North has long demanded the withdrawal of US troops from the peninsula and an end to its nuclear umbrella over South Korea.

Trump said last week that he was not envisaging a drawdown of troops in South Korea for now, but he admitted it was a possibility in the longer term.

The US said the two leaders agreed to keep economic pressure on North Korea. Beijing -- Pyongyang's sole major diplomatic and economic ally -- has backed UN sanctions over North Korea's nuclear programme.

"President Trump and President Xi agreed on the importance of continued implementation of sanctions on North Korea until it permanently dismantles its nuclear and missile programmes," the White House said in a statement.

Xi and Kim met on Monday and Tuesday in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian, the North Korean leader's second trip to China in six weeks as the two countries seek to bolster frayed ties.

The meeting came as Kim is expected to meet with Trump in June, possibly in Singapore.

"China is willing to continue playing a positive role for the realisation of denuclearisation of the Peninsula and long-term peace and security of the region," Xi told Trump.

Xi and Trump also discussed trade frictions.

"The economy and trade has always been the ballast and propellor of the China-US relationship," Xi said.

US and Chinese official held talks in Beijing last week, but no breakthroughs were announced.

Xi described the discussions as "frank, efficient and constructive".

"Both sides can maintain communication and strive to find a way to appropriately resolve the existing issues and obtain mutually beneficial win-win results," he was quoted as saying.

Xi told Trump that he supports the planned meeting between the US and North Korean leaders, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged US counterpart Donald Trump to take Pyongyang's "reasonable security concerns" into consideration, in a phone call Tuesday hours after Xi met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Xi told Trump that he supports the planned meeting between the US and North Korean leaders, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The Chinees president "hopes the US and North Korea can work together, build mutual trust" and "consider North Korea's reasonable security concerns," the report said. The North has long demanded the withdrawal of US troops from the peninsula and an end to its nuclear umbrella over South Korea. Trump said last week that he was not envisaging a drawdown of troops in South Korea for now, but he admitted it was a possibility in the longer term. The US said the two leaders agreed to keep economic pressure on North Korea. Beijing -- Pyongyang's sole major diplomatic and economic ally -- has backed UN sanctions over North Korea's nuclear programme. "President Trump and President Xi agreed on the importance of continued implementation of sanctions on North Korea until it permanently dismantles its nuclear and missile programmes," the White House said in a statement. Xi and Kim met on Monday and Tuesday in the northeastern Chinese port city of Dalian, the North Korean leader's second trip to China in six weeks as the two countries seek to bolster frayed ties. The meeting came as Kim is expected to meet with Trump in June, possibly in Singapore. "China is willing to continue playing a positive role for the realisation of denuclearisation of the Peninsula and long-term peace and security of the region," Xi told Trump. Xi and Trump also discussed trade frictions. "The economy and trade has always been the ballast and propellor of the China-US relationship," Xi said. US and Chinese official held talks in Beijing last week, but no breakthroughs were announced. Xi described the discussions as "frank, efficient and constructive". "Both sides can maintain communication and strive to find a way to appropriately resolve the existing issues and obtain mutually beneficial win-win results," he was quoted as saying.

Xi urges Trump to consider North Korea's 'reasonable security concerns': State media

Japan and North Korea should begin talks to normalise relations between the two countries and contribute to peace and stability in the region, South Korean President Moon Jae-in told a Japanese newspaper on Tuesday.

"In particular, I think dialogue between Japan and North Korea should be resumed," Moon said in the interview with the Yomiuri newspaper.

"If Japan-North Korea relations are normalised, that would greatly contribute to peace and security in Northeast Asia beyond the Korean peninsula," he said in written answers to questions submitted by the newspaper.

At Moon's summit last month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both sides agreed to work towards denuclearisation. Kim said during that meeting he was "ready to have a dialogue with Japan anytime", Moon told the newspaper.

There was no immediate comment from the Japanese government, which has called Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programmes the toughest security threat facing Japan since World War Two.

Moon's interview was conducted ahead of a summit on Wednesday between Moon, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Tokyo.

North Korea was expected to be high on the agenda but a Chinese diplomat said last week the talks were about regional cooperation and not focused on the Korean peninsula

Nevertheless, months of frosty relations between Beijing and Pyongyang appear to have thawed since Kim's secretive visit to Beijing in March, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Analysts said Kim's meeting with Xi strengthened North Korea's negotiating position by aligning the two nations ahead of Kim's summit with US&nbspPresident Donald Trump in the coming weeks.

A high-ranking North Korean official visited the Chinese city of Dalian this week, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said on Tuesday, citing multiple anonymous sources.

The North Korean official flew in a private plane and arrived at Dalian airport on Monday amid heavy security, Yonhap said. It did not identify the official.

In the interview, Moon said Kim's desire for "complete denuclearisation" laid the groundwork for the future summit between the United States and North Korea, although it remained to be seen if concrete steps were agreed at the talks.

Trump has said he will maintain sanctions and pressure on the North and "not repeat the mistakes of past administrations", and has said his tough stance had led to the breakthrough.

Moon said Kim was "a very open and practical person" and both leaders had a mutual goal for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

"From now on, based on our deep mutual trust, we'll make bold steps toward peace and prosperity, and unification," Moon said.

At Moon's summit last month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both sides agreed to work towards denuclearisation

Japan and North Korea should begin talks to normalise relations between the two countries and contribute to peace and stability in the region, South Korean President Moon Jae-in told a Japanese newspaper on Tuesday. "In particular, I think dialogue between Japan and North Korea should be resumed," Moon said in the interview with the Yomiuri newspaper. "If Japan-North Korea relations are normalised, that would greatly contribute to peace and security in Northeast Asia beyond the Korean peninsula," he said in written answers to questions submitted by the newspaper. At Moon's summit last month with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, both sides agreed to work towards denuclearisation. Kim said during that meeting he was "ready to have a dialogue with Japan anytime", Moon told the newspaper. There was no immediate comment from the Japanese government, which has called Pyongyang's nuclear weapons and missile programmes the toughest security threat facing Japan since World War Two. Moon's interview was conducted ahead of a summit on Wednesday between Moon, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Tokyo. North Korea was expected to be high on the agenda but a Chinese diplomat said last week the talks were about regional cooperation and not focused on the Korean peninsula Nevertheless, months of frosty relations between Beijing and Pyongyang appear to have thawed since Kim's secretive visit to Beijing in March, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. Analysts said Kim's meeting with Xi strengthened North Korea's negotiating position by aligning the two nations ahead of Kim's summit with US&nbspPresident Donald Trump in the coming weeks. A high-ranking North Korean official visited the Chinese city of Dalian this week, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said on Tuesday, citing multiple anonymous sources. The North Korean official flew in a private plane and arrived at Dalian airport on Monday amid heavy security, Yonhap said. It did not identify the official. In the interview, Moon said Kim's desire for "complete denuclearisation" laid the groundwork for the future summit between the United States and North Korea, although it remained to be seen if concrete steps were agreed at the talks. Trump has said he will maintain sanctions and pressure on the North and "not repeat the mistakes of past administrations", and has said his tough stance had led to the breakthrough. Moon said Kim was "a very open and practical person" and both leaders had a mutual goal for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. "From now on, based on our deep mutual trust, we'll make bold steps toward peace and prosperity, and unification," Moon said.

Japan and North Korea should talk, South Korea's Moon says

According to North Korean state media, the country has slammed the United States for claiming that Washington's sanctions on Pyongyang and political pressure on the Kim Jong-Un regime led North Korea to the negotiating table.

A North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson noted that such claims are dangerous and may pose threat to the budding peace and reconciliation process in the Korean peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in held their historic summit in Panmunjom last week.

In a joint declaration after the talks, the two leaders officially inaugurated a document formally called the 'Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification on the Korean Peninsula'.

The two Koreas agreed to sign a peace treaty formally later this year, ending the six-decades-old war between the two countries.

The South Korean President is also slated to visit Pyongyang later this year, according to a statement released by his presidential office.

Kim Jong-Un on April 21 announced to suspend its nuclear tests and inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests.

Kim and President Donald Trump are also expected to meet later this month or in early June.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The two Koreas agreed to sign a peace treaty formally later this year, ending the six-decades-old war between the two countries

According to North Korean state media, the country has slammed the United States for claiming that Washington's sanctions on Pyongyang and political pressure on the Kim Jong-Un regime led North Korea to the negotiating table. A North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson noted that such claims are dangerous and may pose threat to the budding peace and reconciliation process in the Korean peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in held their historic summit in Panmunjom last week. In a joint declaration after the talks, the two leaders officially inaugurated a document formally called the 'Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification on the Korean Peninsula'. The two Koreas agreed to sign a peace treaty formally later this year, ending the six-decades-old war between the two countries. The South Korean President is also slated to visit Pyongyang later this year, according to a statement released by his presidential office. Kim Jong-Un on April 21 announced to suspend its nuclear tests and inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests. Kim and President Donald Trump are also expected to meet later this month or in early June. (With inputs from agencies)

Washington's claims threaten peace process in Korean peninsula: North Korea

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-karnataka-polls-authorities-seize-cash-articles-worth-rs-152-crore-134795">Ahead of Karnataka polls, authorities seize cash, articles worth Rs 120 crore</a>

The Election Commission-appointed surveillance teams have seized cash, jewellery and other inducements worth over Rs 120 crore in the poll-bound Karnataka, a senior official said today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-slams-yeddyurappa-for-threatening-voters-134801">Congress slams Yeddyurappa for 'threatening' voters</a>

Congress party on Saturday slammed BJP for ''threatening voters in frustration. A defeatist BJP facing rejection at the hands of Kannadigas is threatening voters in frustration. Mr Yeddyurappa, insulting democracy and intimidating voters will trounce the BJP decisively," tweeted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-opponents-protest-across-russia-before-his-inauguration-134789">Putin opponents protest across Russia before </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-opponents-protest-across-russia-before-his-inauguration-134789">presidential</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/putin-opponents-protest-across-russia-before-his-inauguration-134789"> inauguration</a>

Critics of Vladimir Putin took to the streets of Russia on Saturday ahead of his inauguration for a fourth presidential term to register their opposition to what they say is his autocratic Tsar-like rule.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-faces-dilemma-over-anti-north-leaflets-as-ties-thaw-134788">South Korea faces </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-faces-dilemma-over-anti-north-leaflets-as-ties-thaw-134788">dilemma</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-faces-dilemma-over-anti-north-leaflets-as-ties-thaw-134788"> over anti-North leaflets as ties thaw</a>

Days after a historic inter-Korean summit Lee Min-bok, a defector who has been flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North for 15 years, received a call from an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry urging him to halt his balloon campaign.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/2000-french-police-on-streets-for-anti-macron-protest-134783">2,000 French police on streets for anti-Macron protest</a>

Paris police are deploying in large numbers and activists are calling for calm as the French capital prepares for a mass protest on the anniversary of President Emmanuel Macron's inauguration.

&nbsp

Ahead of Karnataka polls, authorities seize cash, articles worth Rs 120 crore The Election Commission-appointed surveillance teams have seized cash, jewellery and other inducements worth over Rs 120 crore in the poll-bound Karnataka, a senior official said today. Congress slams Yeddyurappa for 'threatening' voters Congress party on Saturday slammed BJP for ''threatening voters in frustration. A defeatist BJP facing rejection at the hands of Kannadigas is threatening voters in frustration. Mr Yeddyurappa, insulting democracy and intimidating voters will trounce the BJP decisively," tweeted Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. Putin opponents protest across Russia before presidential inauguration Critics of Vladimir Putin took to the streets of Russia on Saturday ahead of his inauguration for a fourth presidential term to register their opposition to what they say is his autocratic Tsar-like rule. South Korea faces dilemma over anti-North leaflets as ties thaw Days after a historic inter-Korean summit Lee Min-bok, a defector who has been flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North for 15 years, received a call from an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry urging him to halt his balloon campaign. 2,000 French police on streets for anti-Macron protest Paris police are deploying in large numbers and activists are calling for calm as the French capital prepares for a mass protest on the anniversary of President Emmanuel Macron's inauguration.

News brief: Big stories of the day

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will meet his American counterpart President Donald Trump at the White House on May 22.

Both the leaders are likely to discuss the upcoming summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the White House stated on Friday.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;on Friday, Trump told reporters that the date and location were set for a meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un. The details of the meeting will be announced soon.

According to the White House, the historic summit between Trump and Kim could take place this month, as long as North Korea fulfils the conditions made by the United States with respect to its nuclear program and other areas of contention.

"We're having very substantive talks with North Korea and a lot of things have already happened with respect to the (US) hostages. I think you're going to see very good things," Trump noted on Friday.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The two leaders are likely to discuss the upcoming summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will meet his American counterpart President Donald Trump at the White House on May 22. Both the leaders are likely to discuss the upcoming summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the White House stated on Friday. Meanwhile, on Friday, Trump told reporters that the date and location were set for a meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un. The details of the meeting will be announced soon. According to the White House, the historic summit between Trump and Kim could take place this month, as long as North Korea fulfils the conditions made by the United States with respect to its nuclear program and other areas of contention. "We're having very substantive talks with North Korea and a lot of things have already happened with respect to the (US) hostages. I think you're going to see very good things," Trump noted on Friday. (With inputs from Reuters)

South Korea's Moon to meet Trump at White House on May 22

Days after a historic inter-Korean summit Lee Min-bok, a defector who has been flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North for 15 years, received a call from an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry urging him to halt his balloon campaign.

It was a plea by South Korea not to jeopardise the recent thaw, engineered by the leaders of the two Koreas who agreed during last week's summit to cease all hostile acts along the border - including the distribution of leaflets - from May 1.

On Saturday, police prevented a planned release of balloons by a defector group after a confrontation with anti-leaflet protesters.

For Lee, the campaign is personal. He says reading such leaflets as a young man in the North brought an "awakening moment" in 1990 that helped him realise how oppressive and destitute his homeland was at a time when the South was emerging as an economic powerhouse. In 1995, he escaped to South Korea.

"I really believed that Kim Il Sung was the centre of the world and he was making everything right and great for us," Lee said, referring to North Korea's founding father, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un.

"Realising what I had learned, heard and read were all lies, I decided to defect to the South to live with the truth."

Lee, who launched his first batch of balloons in 2003 and has since dispatched more than 300 million, runs one of several defector-led civic groups that regularly send leaflets across the border carrying messages critical of Kim and human rights abuses in North Korea.

Their campaign now poses a thorny dilemma for Seoul, which is striving to keep up the momentum for inter-Korean reconciliation after a decade of confrontation amid the North's growing nuclear weapons and missile programmes.

Pyongyang has in the past blamed Seoul for failing to stop previous leaflet launches, calling them "an act of war". The two Koreas even traded fire in 2014 after the North's military shot machine guns at balloons launched by defector activists.

Launch Blocked

In the call from the Unification Ministry, the official repeatedly pleaded for an end to balloon launches, promising support if his group switched to other activities aimed at improving human rights in North Korea, according to Lee.

The ministry was not available for comment on the call, but on Friday it issued a statement urging civic groups to halt leaflet launches, which it said would violate the spirit of the agreement made at the summit and heighten military tensions and safety concerns.

Some South Koreans also think the balloon campaign should end.

"Customers stopped visiting our town after North Korea threatened to shoot the balloons," said Kim Hyung-do, who runs a chicken soup restaurant in the border city of Paju.

"The mood between the two Koreas has a big impact on our lives. I hope they won't send flyers and throw cold water on this good mood after the summit."

Despite the pleas, a group of North Korean defectors flocked to Paju on Saturday to fly balloons into the North.

The group prepared 150,000 leaflets, 1,000 $1 bills and 500 booklets authored by another defector on South Korea's dramatic rise from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War, said its leader Park Sang-haak.

"We are carried away by Kim Jong Un's sudden deceitful peace offensive, but just a while ago he blackmailed us and the whole world with nuclear and missile provocations, while killing his own family members and executives," Park said.

About 150 residents of Paju and members of a small, progressive party staged a protest against the leaflet launch, and one protester ran into Park as he gave a speech, prompting police to intervene.

"I risked my life to cross the border. You can't stop me," a colleague of Park furiously shouted at the man, drawing applause from other defectors.

The launch was eventually called off as police blocked the truck carrying the balloons from entering the site. Local police were not immediately available for comment.

Leaflet War

The two Koreas have waged rival leaflet campaigns for decades.

The South's military used to launch anti-North flyers across the demilitarised zone, but the programme ended in 2010, a defence ministry official said.

Defector groups continued the campaign, sending, along with the flyers, $1 bills, mini radios, instant food such ramen noodles and USB sticks containing South Korean dramas and news.

Pyongyang has also used balloons to send its own propaganda leaflets, which typically feature military threats and satirical images of South Korean and US leaders.

"I remember picking up fliers praising Kim Il Sung from the playground and mountain near my home when I was in elementary school, and we were told to drop them at a police box and get pencils as a reward," said Kim Chang-hwan, a 35-year-old book editor in Seoul.

"It was sort of scary as we were taught that those things were very bad, but when I saw them again during my military service, I would just laugh it off."

Defector and human rights campaigners say the South Korean government cannot obstruct civilian activities that they say are subject to freedom of speech guaranteed by the constitution.

In 2015, a local court dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of residents to prevent Park's leaflet campaign, citing freedom of expression.

But in a separate 2016 case, the Supreme Court ruled the government could limit the civic group's activities due to residents' safety concerns.

President Moon Jae-in, a former human rights lawyer, took office last May, pledging to re-engage the North. As an opposition lawmaker, Moon co-sponsored a resolution calling for a halt to leaflet launches in 2014.

"The agreement from the summit doesn't have binding authority over what the people do or don't do," said Kim Tae-hoon, a member of Hanbyun, an association of lawyers for human rights and unification. "And it can't undercut the universal value of human rights."

It was a plea by South Korea not to jeopardise the recent thaw, engineered by the leaders of the two Koreas who agreed during last week's summit to cease all hostile acts along the border - including the distribution of leaflets - from May 1

Days after a historic inter-Korean summit Lee Min-bok, a defector who has been flying anti-Pyongyang leaflets into the North for 15 years, received a call from an official at Seoul's Unification Ministry urging him to halt his balloon campaign. It was a plea by South Korea not to jeopardise the recent thaw, engineered by the leaders of the two Koreas who agreed during last week's summit to cease all hostile acts along the border - including the distribution of leaflets - from May 1. On Saturday, police prevented a planned release of balloons by a defector group after a confrontation with anti-leaflet protesters. For Lee, the campaign is personal. He says reading such leaflets as a young man in the North brought an "awakening moment" in 1990 that helped him realise how oppressive and destitute his homeland was at a time when the South was emerging as an economic powerhouse. In 1995, he escaped to South Korea. "I really believed that Kim Il Sung was the centre of the world and he was making everything right and great for us," Lee said, referring to North Korea's founding father, the grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un. "Realising what I had learned, heard and read were all lies, I decided to defect to the South to live with the truth." Lee, who launched his first batch of balloons in 2003 and has since dispatched more than 300 million, runs one of several defector-led civic groups that regularly send leaflets across the border carrying messages critical of Kim and human rights abuses in North Korea. Their campaign now poses a thorny dilemma for Seoul, which is striving to keep up the momentum for inter-Korean reconciliation after a decade of confrontation amid the North's growing nuclear weapons and missile programmes. Pyongyang has in the past blamed Seoul for failing to stop previous leaflet launches, calling them "an act of war". The two Koreas even traded fire in 2014 after the North's military shot machine guns at balloons launched by defector activists. Launch Blocked In the call from the Unification Ministry, the official repeatedly pleaded for an end to balloon launches, promising support if his group switched to other activities aimed at improving human rights in North Korea, according to Lee. The ministry was not available for comment on the call, but on Friday it issued a statement urging civic groups to halt leaflet launches, which it said would violate the spirit of the agreement made at the summit and heighten military tensions and safety concerns. Some South Koreans also think the balloon campaign should end. "Customers stopped visiting our town after North Korea threatened to shoot the balloons," said Kim Hyung-do, who runs a chicken soup restaurant in the border city of Paju. "The mood between the two Koreas has a big impact on our lives. I hope they won't send flyers and throw cold water on this good mood after the summit." Despite the pleas, a group of North Korean defectors flocked to Paju on Saturday to fly balloons into the North. The group prepared 150,000 leaflets, 1,000 $1 bills and 500 booklets authored by another defector on South Korea's dramatic rise from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War, said its leader Park Sang-haak. "We are carried away by Kim Jong Un's sudden deceitful peace offensive, but just a while ago he blackmailed us and the whole world with nuclear and missile provocations, while killing his own family members and executives," Park said. About 150 residents of Paju and members of a small, progressive party staged a protest against the leaflet launch, and one protester ran into Park as he gave a speech, prompting police to intervene. "I risked my life to cross the border. You can't stop me," a colleague of Park furiously shouted at the man, drawing applause from other defectors. The launch was eventually called off as police blocked the truck carrying the balloons from entering the site. Local police were not immediately available for comment. Leaflet War The two Koreas have waged rival leaflet campaigns for decades. The South's military used to launch anti-North flyers across the demilitarised zone, but the programme ended in 2010, a defence ministry official said. Defector groups continued the campaign, sending, along with the flyers, $1 bills, mini radios, instant food such ramen noodles and USB sticks containing South Korean dramas and news. Pyongyang has also used balloons to send its own propaganda leaflets, which typically feature military threats and satirical images of South Korean and US leaders. "I remember picking up fliers praising Kim Il Sung from the playground and mountain near my home when I was in elementary school, and we were told to drop them at a police box and get pencils as a reward," said Kim Chang-hwan, a 35-year-old book editor in Seoul. "It was sort of scary as we were taught that those things were very bad, but when I saw them again during my military service, I would just laugh it off." Defector and human rights campaigners say the South Korean government cannot obstruct civilian activities that they say are subject to freedom of speech guaranteed by the constitution. In 2015, a local court dismissed a lawsuit filed by a group of residents to prevent Park's leaflet campaign, citing freedom of expression. But in a separate 2016 case, the Supreme Court ruled the government could limit the civic group's activities due to residents' safety concerns. President Moon Jae-in, a former human rights lawyer, took office last May, pledging to re-engage the North. As an opposition lawmaker, Moon co-sponsored a resolution calling for a halt to leaflet launches in 2014. "The agreement from the summit doesn't have binding authority over what the people do or don't do," said Kim Tae-hoon, a member of Hanbyun, an association of lawyers for human rights and unification. "And it can't undercut the universal value of human rights."

South Korea faces dilemma over anti-North leaflets as ties thaw

Weeks after historic Inter-Korea summit, North Korea has joined the time zone of South Korea bu resetting its clock by 30 minutes on Friday, reported France based news agency AFP citing state media.

The resetting&nbspof time is the first practical step that has been taken after the peace summit between North Korea and South Korea for a reconciliation and unity of both countries.

The different time zone was created in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese rule after World War Two.

North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and South Korea president Moon Jae-in pledged to take various steps to formally end the 1950-53 Korea war after the&nbsp27 April's&nbspInter-Korea Summit.

North Korea also surprised the world after Kim Jong-un promised to shut down its nuclear test site. It also assured that that denuclearisation process would take place with full transparency in presence of journalists and respective authorities.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un will also meet United States president Donald Trump.&nbsp

Trump on Friday told reporters that the date and location were set for a meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, which would be announced soon.

Another historic summit between the US and North Korea is expected to take place this month.&nbsp 
&nbsp

The resetting of time is the first practical step that has been taken after the peace summit between North Korea and South Korea for a reconciliation and unity of both countries

Weeks after historic Inter-Korea summit, North Korea has joined the time zone of South Korea bu resetting its clock by 30 minutes on Friday, reported France based news agency AFP citing state media. The resetting&nbspof time is the first practical step that has been taken after the peace summit between North Korea and South Korea for a reconciliation and unity of both countries. The different time zone was created in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese rule after World War Two. North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and South Korea president Moon Jae-in pledged to take various steps to formally end the 1950-53 Korea war after the&nbsp27 April's&nbspInter-Korea Summit. North Korea also surprised the world after Kim Jong-un promised to shut down its nuclear test site. It also assured that that denuclearisation process would take place with full transparency in presence of journalists and respective authorities. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-un will also meet United States president Donald Trump. Trump on Friday told reporters that the date and location were set for a meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, which would be announced soon. Another historic summit between the US and North Korea is expected to take place this month.

As promised, North Korea joins South Korea time zone

President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to prepare options for reducing the number of US&nbsptroops in South Korea, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing several people briefed on the deliberations.

Reduced US&nbsptroop levels are not intended to be a bargaining chip in Trump's planned summit in late May or early June with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un about Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, the Times said.

The officials said, however, that a peace treaty between the two Koreas could diminish the need for the 23,500 US&nbspsoldiers currently stationed on the peninsula, the newspaper said.

A full withdrawal of US&nbsptroops was unlikely, the officials said, according to the paper.

But a US&nbspNational Security Council official told a visiting South Korean official in Washington via telephone the report was false, the South Korean presidential office said in a statement.

The White House and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump has said the United States should consider reducing the number of troops in South Korea unless South Korea shoulders more of the cost.

Then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo, before taking office as US&nbspsecretary of state, met Kim last month and reported the North Korean leader was not demanding the withdrawal of all US&nbspforces as a precondition for a summit with Trump.

South Korea said on Wednesday the issue of US&nbsptroops stationed in the South was unrelated to any future peace treaty with North Korea and that American forces should stay even if such an agreement is signed.

Trump has said the United States should consider reducing the number of troops in South Korea unless South Korea shoulders more of the cost

President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to prepare options for reducing the number of US&nbsptroops in South Korea, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing several people briefed on the deliberations. Reduced US&nbsptroop levels are not intended to be a bargaining chip in Trump's planned summit in late May or early June with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un about Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, the Times said. The officials said, however, that a peace treaty between the two Koreas could diminish the need for the 23,500 US&nbspsoldiers currently stationed on the peninsula, the newspaper said. A full withdrawal of US&nbsptroops was unlikely, the officials said, according to the paper. But a US&nbspNational Security Council official told a visiting South Korean official in Washington via telephone the report was false, the South Korean presidential office said in a statement. The White House and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump has said the United States should consider reducing the number of troops in South Korea unless South Korea shoulders more of the cost. Then-CIA Director Mike Pompeo, before taking office as US&nbspsecretary of state, met Kim last month and reported the North Korean leader was not demanding the withdrawal of all US&nbspforces as a precondition for a summit with Trump. South Korea said on Wednesday the issue of US&nbsptroops stationed in the South was unrelated to any future peace treaty with North Korea and that American forces should stay even if such an agreement is signed.

Trump orders Pentagon to consider reducing US troops in South Korea

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has not asked the Pentagon for options to reduce US&nbspforces based in South Korea, US&nbspNational Security Adviser John Bolton said in a statement on Friday.

His comment comes after the New York Times, citing several people briefed on the deliberations, reported on Thursday that the president was seeking options to curb the number of American troops stationed in South Korea.

His comment comes after the New York Times, citing several people briefed on the deliberations, reported that the president was seeking options to curb the number of American troops stationed in South Korea

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has not asked the Pentagon for options to reduce US&nbspforces based in South Korea, US&nbspNational Security Adviser John Bolton said in a statement on Friday. His comment comes after the New York Times, citing several people briefed on the deliberations, reported on Thursday that the president was seeking options to curb the number of American troops stationed in South Korea.

Trump not seeking to curb US forces in South Korea: US national security adviser

The two Koreas will field a combined team at the table tennis world championships after the nations decided not to compete against each other in the quarter-finals, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) said on Thursday.

North and South Korea requested to field a unified team for the semi-finals of the championships, which will be played against Japan or Ukraine on Friday in Halmstad, Sweden.

The last time that a unified Korea team played the world table tennis championships was 1991 in Chiba, Japan where women's team shocked defending champions China to win the gold medal.

The decision to form a unified team was a tripartite agreement between the leaders North and South Korean Table Tennis teams and the ITTF.

"When I informed the Board of Directors about this development, the unified team received a standing ovation from the delegates who showed their sign of support to this historic move," ITTF president Thomas Weikert said in a statement.

The move follows the North and South Korean leaders' pledge to work for "complete denuclearization" of the Korean peninsula last week.

The two Koreas had earlier this year joined forces to field a combined women's ice hockey team at the Pyeongchang Winter Games after they marched in together for the opening ceremony.

The decision to form a unified team was a tripartite agreement between the leaders North and South Korean Table Tennis teams and the ITTF

The two Koreas will field a combined team at the table tennis world championships after the nations decided not to compete against each other in the quarter-finals, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) said on Thursday. North and South Korea requested to field a unified team for the semi-finals of the championships, which will be played against Japan or Ukraine on Friday in Halmstad, Sweden. The last time that a unified Korea team played the world table tennis championships was 1991 in Chiba, Japan where women's team shocked defending champions China to win the gold medal. The decision to form a unified team was a tripartite agreement between the leaders North and South Korean Table Tennis teams and the ITTF. "When I informed the Board of Directors about this development, the unified team received a standing ovation from the delegates who showed their sign of support to this historic move," ITTF president Thomas Weikert said in a statement. The move follows the North and South Korean leaders' pledge to work for "complete denuclearization" of the Korean peninsula last week. The two Koreas had earlier this year joined forces to field a combined women's ice hockey team at the Pyeongchang Winter Games after they marched in together for the opening ceremony.

North, South Korea form unified team at Table Tennis World Championships

Every event of Korean leaders' summit on April 27, 2018, was covered extensively by the media where they highlighted their pledge to end six decades of hostility. Airing their rhetoric about commitment to peace and "complete" denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and eventually achieve unification, looks too good, but too quick, to be true.

In a scripted ceremony, Kim Jong-un did become the first North Korean leader to walk across the demarcation line to South Korea since the Korean War of 1953. The war was halted by an armistice signed in 1953, but did not formally end through any permanent peace agreement. The declaration by both to work together for a "nuclear-free Korea", disarmament, as well as officially ending the war at Panmunjom in 2018 is a historical event, which may outwardly amuse population both sides, but it needs careful decoding.

How and why the event happened as per expected script?

South Korea was under maximum pressure due to war clouds over its territory because of hard line taken by North Korea and the US. Kim's adventurism with no noticeable control by China and Russia, a war of words and incremental sanctions by US and UN were making things worse in the Korean Peninsula. Mountain collapsing at the nuclear site and fear of radiation continue to add to the risk to nearby areas. Under immense pressure, South Korea was able to set the stage for Kim-Trump meet, which is possible only if this summit went off well on scripted lines. Under domestic pressure due to hard hitting sanctions, and nuclear test related dangers, Kim was also mentally prepared to follow the peace narrative.

Will this inter-Korean peace initiative work?

The United States, China and Russia welcomed the agreement as their first response. The criticism indicates that the document promises mutual disarmament "in a phased manner" to build trust, lacks any roadmap/timelines for implementation. It does not meet US expectation of "complete, verifiable and irreversible" dismantling of North Korea's nuclear weapons. Any real promise regarding dismantling of missiles and nuclear weapons was missing, and Kim's image of being nuclear powered dictator has remained intact. Irrespective of skeptics, this summit has set the tone for the Trump-Kim Summit, although some more diplomatic efforts will have to follow.

Beyond the optics

There were some difficulties, which made some ideas of the summit impractical. Here are some of them:

<ul>
	<li>While everyone will like to see the peace and prosperity of Koreans but neither China nor US will be keen for a unified Korea. This will also invite internal opposition in South Korea. China will not like a democratic unified Korea, balancing between US and China, whereas US will not like its foothold in Korea going away so easily.</li>
	<li>When North Korea threatened the US and Japan, the issue expanded beyond bilateral limits of North and South Korea, hence cannot be settled by them bilaterally. Any permanent solution has to be acceptable to US, China, Japan and Russia.</li>
	<li>When Armistice was signed in 1953, US and China representatives were present. The same is a must for lasting peace.</li>
	<li>Expecting Kim to give away the only leverage he has in terms of posing nuclear and missile threat to US, something which has forced President Trump to meet him, sounds unrealistic.</li>
</ul>

This event is a good beginning which has a face saving option for all parties unless a hard line is adopted by someone. The US and Japan are unlikely to be moved by optics and will be keen in eradication of threat to them, hence may not remove or soften sanctions, which Kim may be eyeing for by such niceties with South

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

In a scripted ceremony, Kim Jong-un did become the first North Korean leader to walk across the DMZ to South Korea.

Every event of Korean leaders' summit on April 27, 2018, was covered extensively by the media where they highlighted their pledge to end six decades of hostility. Airing their rhetoric about commitment to peace and "complete" denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and eventually achieve unification, looks too good, but too quick, to be true. In a scripted ceremony, Kim Jong-un did become the first North Korean leader to walk across the demarcation line to South Korea since the Korean War of 1953. The war was halted by an armistice signed in 1953, but did not formally end through any permanent peace agreement. The declaration by both to work together for a "nuclear-free Korea", disarmament, as well as officially ending the war at Panmunjom in 2018 is a historical event, which may outwardly amuse population both sides, but it needs careful decoding. How and why the event happened as per expected script? South Korea was under maximum pressure due to war clouds over its territory because of hard line taken by North Korea and the US. Kim's adventurism with no noticeable control by China and Russia, a war of words and incremental sanctions by US and UN were making things worse in the Korean Peninsula. Mountain collapsing at the nuclear site and fear of radiation continue to add to the risk to nearby areas. Under immense pressure, South Korea was able to set the stage for Kim-Trump meet, which is possible only if this summit went off well on scripted lines. Under domestic pressure due to hard hitting sanctions, and nuclear test related dangers, Kim was also mentally prepared to follow the peace narrative. Will this inter-Korean peace initiative work? The United States, China and Russia welcomed the agreement as their first response. The criticism indicates that the document promises mutual disarmament "in a phased manner" to build trust, lacks any roadmap/timelines for implementation. It does not meet US expectation of "complete, verifiable and irreversible" dismantling of North Korea's nuclear weapons. Any real promise regarding dismantling of missiles and nuclear weapons was missing, and Kim's image of being nuclear powered dictator has remained intact. Irrespective of skeptics, this summit has set the tone for the Trump-Kim Summit, although some more diplomatic efforts will have to follow. Beyond the optics There were some difficulties, which made some ideas of the summit impractical. Here are some of them: While everyone will like to see the peace and prosperity of Koreans but neither China nor US will be keen for a unified Korea. This will also invite internal opposition in South Korea. China will not like a democratic unified Korea, balancing between US and China, whereas US will not like its foothold in Korea going away so easily. When North Korea threatened the US and Japan, the issue expanded beyond bilateral limits of North and South Korea, hence cannot be settled by them bilaterally. Any permanent solution has to be acceptable to US, China, Japan and Russia. When Armistice was signed in 1953, US and China representatives were present. The same is a must for lasting peace. Expecting Kim to give away the only leverage he has in terms of posing nuclear and missile threat to US, something which has forced President Trump to meet him, sounds unrealistic. This event is a good beginning which has a face saving option for all parties unless a hard line is adopted by someone. The US and Japan are unlikely to be moved by optics and will be keen in eradication of threat to them, hence may not remove or soften sanctions, which Kim may be eyeing for by such niceties with South (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Decoding the Kim and Moon summit for a nuclear free Korea

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