North Korean leader Kim Jong-un still is willing to meet U.S. President Donald Trump and discuss a “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” South Korean President Moon Jae-in said in a news conference held Sunday morning in Seoul, a day after holding a surprise summit with Kim at the northern side of Panmunjom in North Korea.

During the meeting, Kim said he still wants to hold the June 12 summit with President Trump as planned, according to Moon. Moon also said he hopes the historic summit would lead to a declaration of end of war and bring permanent peace to the Korean Peninsula.

“Kim once again clearly expressed his commitment to a complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula during the meeting,” said Moon. “What is unclear to Kim is how he can trust Washington’s promise to end hostile relations (with North Korea) and give a firm guarantee for his government after it denuclearizes completely.”

Moon also delivered Trump’s firm resolve to end the hostile relations with North Korea and start bilateral economic cooperation following “complete denuclearization,” according to him.

The talks were requested by Kim, and the two leaders agreed to hold high-level talks and follow-up working-level meetings soon to ease military tensions and resume family reunion events for families separated since the Korean War.

President Trump on Saturday (local time) said working-level meetings with the North are ongoing at a place “not so far away from here” and have “gone very very well.” He added a date of June 12 in Singapore is still being considered for the meeting.

By Kang Gye-man and Lee Ha-yeon

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]