Trump gives 'blessing' to North-South Korean peace treaty talks
What's the story
US President Donald Trump gave his "blessing" to talks aimed at formally ending the war on the Korean peninsula today, setting the stage for a major diplomatic breakthrough at a series of upcoming summits. With a rare inter-Korean meeting 10 days away, the US president opened the door to a peace treaty that has eluded diplomats for more than half a century. Here's more.
Information
North-South Korea peace treaty to be held on April 27
Trump appeared to confirm that North-South Korean talks on April 27 will touch on a possible peace treaty, a deeply symbolic replacement to more ad-hoc armistice signed in 1953. "North Korea is coming along," Trump said confidently as he hosted Japanese PM, Shinzo Abe.
Trump-Kim meet
Trump and Kim will probably meet in early June
Turning to his summit with Kim, Trump revealed that "five locations" were being considered. "The meeting will take place probably in early June or before that assuming things go well," he said. Officials said no decision has yet been made, but China, North Korea, South Korea, and Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone between the two countries are seen as possible locations.
Peace talks
Panmunjom will host Kim-Moon meeting on April 27
US-led United Nations command, China and North Korea are signatories to the half century old accord, but most experts agree South Korea would likely have to be a signatory to any successor agreement. Panmunjom was the site of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953 and will be the location of the April 27 summit between Kim and South's President Moon Jae-in.