North Korea to cooperate with US in nuclear talks: report

South Korean officials said Wednesday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has agreed to conditionally cooperate with the U.S. in nuclear negotiations.

Kim reportedly said he’s open to “stronger” denuclearization efforts if the U.S. reciprocates with an acknowledgement of the steps he has already taken to de-escalate weapons testing, South Korean officials told Bloomberg. 

{mosads}Kim also reiterated previous claims that it was necessary to declare a formal end to the Korean War, though he said it would not require withdrawing U.S. troops, South Korean National Security Office head Chung Eui-yong told reporters, according to Bloomberg. 

The announcement followed a meeting between South Korean officials and the North Korean leader, who agreed to have Kim meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Pyongyang from Sept. 18-20 to discuss denuclearization and easing military tensions, the outlet reported. 

North Korean media reported earlier that Kim called for greater efforts to “realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” in his talks with South Korean officials.

The developments come amid a breakdown in negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea. 

President Trump late last month canceled a scheduled trip by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to North Korea.

“I feel we are not making sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” he said at the time.

I have asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to go to North Korea, at this time, because I feel we are not making sufficient progress with respect to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2018

Trump met with Kim in Singapore in June to negotiate the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but he has struggled to point to significant achievements from the meeting.

Since the meeting, U.S. officials have acknowledged that there has been no public sign of denuclearization. Pompeo told lawmakers in July that North Korea is still producing the material necessary to make nuclear bombs. The secretary of State added that North Korea talks are a process of “patient diplomacy.”

Despite the lack of progress, Trump has expressed optimism in future negotiations, citing what he believes is a warm relationship with Kim. 

“In the meantime I would like to send my warmest regards and respect to Chairman Kim. I look forward to seeing him soon!” he tweeted after canceling Pompeo’s trip.

…Secretary Pompeo looks forward to going to North Korea in the near future, most likely after our Trading relationship with China is resolved. In the meantime I would like to send my warmest regards and respect to Chairman Kim. I look forward to seeing him soon!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2018