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| In this photo provided Wednesday, March 28, 2018, by China's Xinhua News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands in Beijing, China. / Xinhua via AP |
- Kim told Xi: "North Korea is committed to denuclearization."
- North Korea is "willing to have dialogue with the US"
- Xi accepted Kim's invitation to visit North Korea
- China briefed White House on Tuesday on Kim Jong-un's visit
- China to explain South Korea the results of Kim-Xi meeting
- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi to visit Seoul on Thursday
By Park Si-soo, Oh Young-jin
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un told Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing that North Korea is "committed to denuclearization," the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Kim made an "unofficial" visit to China from Sunday to Wednesday, accompanied by his wife Ri Sol-ju and Choe Ryong-hae, a ranking party official, according to the North's state-run radio station. It was Kim's first foreign trip since he took office in late 2011.
"It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearization on the peninsula, in accordance with the will of late President Kim Il-sung and late General Secretary Kim Jong-il," Kim was quoted by Xinhua as saying.
North Korea is "willing to have dialogue with the United States and hold a summit of the two countries," he added.
"The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill, create an atmosphere of peace and stability while taking progressive and synchronous measures for the realization of peace,"Kim was quoted by Xinhua as saying.
His first summit with Xi came as Kim plans to meet the leaders of South Korea and the United States in the coming months and relations between the North and China have been strayed over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
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| In this photo released Wednesday, March 28, 2018 by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, second from right, and his wife Peng Liyuan, right, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second from left, and his wife Ri Sol Ju, left, pose for a photo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. / Xinhua via AP |
Xi accepts Kim's invitation to Pyongyang
Chinese President Xi Jinping accepted an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit Pyongyang during their first meeting in Beijing, the North's state media said Wednesday.
On behalf of the North's ruling party and government, Kim invited Xi "to make an official visit to the DPRK at a convenient time and the invitation was accepted with pleasure," KCNA reported, using the country's official acronym.
China briefed White House
The White House said Wednesday China briefed about Kim's visit to Beijing on Tuesday.
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| In this photo released Wednesday, March 28, 2018 by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, fourth from left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second from right, meet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. / Xinhua via AP |
Top Chinese diplomat to visit Seoul Thursday
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi will visit Seoul on Thursday morning to brief South Korea on the results of talks between President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, a Cheong Wa Dae official said.
Yang is scheduled to meet with Chung Eui-yong, chief of the presidential National Security Office, and hold a dinner with him. Yang is also scheduled to pay a visit to President Moon Jae-in, senior presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan said.
Yang is expected to explain the results of the Xi-Kim talks in detail, Yoon said.
"There will also be discussions about denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and various other pending issues," he said.
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| In this photo released Wednesday, March 28, 2018 by China's Xinhua News Agency, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, and his wife Ri Sol Ju, visit an exhibition highlighting achievements by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. / Xinhua via AP |
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