Trump says N. Korea has already started total denuclearization

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that North Korea’s total denuclearization has already started, adding, “They want to get it done. We want to get it done. And we’re moving quickly.”

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting in the White House on Thursday (local time), President Trump said North Korea wants to end the nuclear issue and he wants to end it, too. Trump went on to say that “They (North Korea)’ve stopped the sending of missiles, including ballistic missiles. They’re destroying their engine site. They’re blowing it up. They’ve already blown up one of their big test sites, in fact it’s actually four of their big test sites.” But he did not specify which test sites he was referring to.

But a U.S. official, who is familiar with latest developments on North Korea’s nuclear and missile test sites, told Reuters that “There was no evidence of new moves to dismantle any sites since Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on June 12.” The 38 North, a website devoted to analysis about North Korea, also said analysis of satellite images suggests that there has been “no apparent dismantlement activities at Sohae Engine Test Site as of June 12” and that there has been no dismantlement moves at eight missile-related facilities in North Korea.


Yong Park parky@donga.com · Sung-Ha Joo zsh75@donga.com