The Latest: China welcomes S Korean envoys’ trip to N Korea
The Latest on a South Korean delegation visiting North Korea for talks (all times local):
6:20 p.m.
China, North Korea’s closest thing to an ally, is applauding a visit by a South Korean delegation to the North’s capital.
“We believe it is a good thing, and look forward to a positive outcome of the meeting,” foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regularly scheduled news conference Monday.
The South Korean presidential office announced that the envoys will meet Monday evening with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
China has long called for a resumption of talks between North Korea and other countries embroiled in tensions over the North’s nuclear and missile programs.
China has signed on to tough new United Nations economic sanctions against North Korea, but says those measures should be carefully targeted and serve only as an inducement for negotiations.
“We hope all sides will bear in mind the larger picture of peninsular peace and stability… and make joint efforts not only for better ties between the North and South but for the early accomplishment of denuclearization and lasting peace and stability on the peninsula,” Geng said.
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6:05 p.m.
Envoys for the South Korean president are to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a dinner in the North’s capital.
The announcement was made by President Moon Jae-in’s office shortly after the 10-member South Korean delegation landed in Pyongyang and met with North Korean officials.
