DPRK says dialogue with U.S. result of peacemaking efforts by Kim Jong Un

PYONGYANG –The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Tuesday that the ongoing dialogue between the DPRK and the United States is the result of peace-making efforts by its top leader Kim Jong Un, rather than that of outside pressure. 

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a commentary that by deciding to hold a dialogue with the United States, Kim "is defending peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region." 

"He made a strategic decision to end the inglorious history of the DPRK-U.S. relations and received U.S. Secretary of State (Mike) Pompeo, who visited the DPRK. And he took a series of crucial and bold steps for peace and stability of the peninsula and the world," said the KCNA. 

The commentary said that "there are some arguments describing the improvement of the situation on the Korean Peninsula as the 'result of hard-line diplomacy' of the U.S. and the 'result of sustained pressure.'" 
"It seriously chills the atmosphere of the DPRK-U.S. dialogue and is of no help to the development of the situation," it said. 

"It would be absolutely beneficial to world peace and stability to have a proper understanding of the present phase of the situation on the Korean Peninsula," the commentary said. 

Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump are scheduled to hold a summit meeting on June 12 in Singapore. Enditem 
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