Pro-N. Korea newspaper demands 'bold,' 'practical' action from U.S. ahead of summit

SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- A pro-North Korea newspaper in Japan on Friday called for "bold" and "practical" action from the United States to achieve denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula as preparations are under way for a second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-and U.S. President Donald Trump.

"When the U.S. takes bold action to make the Korean Peninsula a nuclear-free and peaceful zone and President Trump decides on practical measures to ensure an end to hostile policy toward its negotiating partner and to nuclear war threats, and finalizes relevant preparations, yet another historic meeting will take place," the Choson Sinbo said in an article.

"There was a stalemate in the latter part of last year but if both sides draw up action plans based on the spirit of the joint statement adopted in their first summit, they could make a marked advance in relations," it added.

The newspaper blamed the impasse on Washington clinging to sanctions and its "unilateral demand" for nuclear disarmament, saying those efforts run counter to agreements reached in the summit last June in Singapore and do not help to build trust.

At the summit, Kim and Trump agreed to work toward complete denuclearization in exchange for security guarantees for Pyongyang.

North Korea has demanded sanctions relief in return for what it claims to be substantive measures since the June summit. Washington is calling for more concrete denuclearization steps.

The leaders are expected to meet again in late February, with the date and location for the second summit likely to be announced next week.

Working-level talks between the two countries are also expected to be held at the truce village of Panmunjom next week to discuss details of the upcoming summit.

Stephen Biegun, special representative for North Korea, who will lead the talks next week, earlier called on Pyongyang to provide a full declaration of its nuclear and missile programs, emphasizing that it is a necessary step before reaching the "final" denuclearization of the peninsula.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)