City
Epaper

Amid stalled negotiations with US over denuclearisation, North Korean Foreign Minister replaced

By ANI | Updated: January 20, 2020 01:45 IST

As the talks between the US and North Korea over denuclearisation remain stalled, Pyongyang appears to have picked its point man for relations with South Korea as its new foreign minister.

Open in App

As the talks between the US and North Korea over denuclearisation remain stalled, Pyongyang appears to have picked its point man for relations with South Korea as its new foreign minister.

Yonhap citing sources, reported that North Korea has notified foreign ambassadors based in Pyongyang of its recent appointment of Ri Son-Gwon as the country's new top envoy, replacing Ri Yong-ho. The agency quoting sources said notification was made last week and his official appointment may be announced this week.

The development, if confirmed, marks a possible shift in the country's policy towards US and South Korea, even though its leader Kim Jong Un announced earlier this month that he is longer bound by his self-imposed moratorium on a long-range missile and nuclear tests and said it will soon show off a "new strategic weapon."

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had said that Pyongyang will continue developing strategic weapons unless the United States drops its hostile policy towards the country.

According to the Yonhap report, Ri a former army officer has been serving as chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country and headed the delegation to recent high-level talks with South Korea.

His appointment assumes significance in the wake of South Korean President Moon Jae-in's New-Year address wherein he had proposed that the two Koreas should make concerted efforts to create conditions for North Korean leader's visit to South Korea.

The talks between North Korea and the United States broke down after the failed Hanoi Summit between US President Donald Trump and Kim. Since then, Washington has tried to bring the Pyongyang back on the table for talks but failed to do so.

Meanwhile, North Korea has conducted a number of test-launches of short-range missiles in the months since the last summit. The country is banned from carrying out such tests under the United Nations' sanctions.

( With inputs from ANI )

Tags: North KoreaSouth KoreapyongyangusUnited States
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalUS Visa Waiver Program: Can Indian Passport Holders Enter the US Without Visa? Citizens of 41 Countries Get Free Entry

BusinessGlobal Tech Firms Eye India for Manufacturing Amid US-China Tensions

InternationalIllinois Plane Crash: 4 Killed After Cessna C180G Aircraft Goes Down After Hitting Power Lines in Trilla

MumbaiMumbai 3.0: MMRDA Joins Hands With South Korea for a Bold Urban Transformation

NationalPM Narendra Modi Discusses Tech and Innovation Collaboration With Elon Musk

International Realted Stories

InternationalTibetans in exile commemorate 36th birthday of Panchen Lama, appeal to China for his release

InternationalFamilies confirm abuse of detained Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders, Balochistan erupts in protest

InternationalIndia sends medical aid worth $2 mn to Nepal for patients with thalassemia, sickle cell disease

InternationalCambodia on verge of achieving malaria-free goal: PM Hun

InternationalIllinois Helicopter Crash: Three Injured As Chopper Crashes in Hartford; Watch Video