Winston Peters urges North Korea to 'realise' denuclearisation commitment after Trump-Kim summit

June 13, 2018

The Foreign Minister said it was too early to say if the Trump-Kim meeting could be deemed a success, “but at least it’s a serious start”.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has described the summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a path that could bring a "prosperous and secure future" for North Korea.

Yesterday, the two leaders signed a commitment towards denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. 

"New Zealand welcomes this stated commitment towards resolving the long-standing tensions on the Korean Peninsula," Mr Peters said.

Mr Peters has tried to explain the benefits of nearly $700m budget spending in aid, and 50 new diplomats funded in Budget 2018.

"It is our hope that the diplomatic efforts foreshadowed in Singapore build trust and enable progress towards lasting peace."

He said the commitment has brought North Korea "to an important crossroad". 

"Following the right path now will bring a prosperous and secure future for North Korea."

"The New Zealand Government strongly encourages it to realise the commitments it has made by undertaking complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation, and by abandoning its other weapons programmes," he said. 

Mr Peters said future talks were a critical next step to ensuring denuclearisation is delivered. 

"North Korea has an opportunity for a much brighter future, which New Zealand and the rest of the international community stands ready to support."

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