Secretary-General Welcomes Positive, Substantive Progress Achieved at Recent

Beijing Talks between Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, United States

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is encouraged by the resumption of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea-United States dialogue and welcomes the positive and substantive progress achieved at their recent talks in Beijing.

The Secretary-General hopes the expressed commitment by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to take several initial steps will be implemented towards a verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.  The Secretary-General once again encourages the parties concerned to step up their efforts to settle outstanding issues by peaceful means including dialogue.

The Secretary-General also stresses the urgency of meeting the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

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For information media • not an official record