Theresa May today welcomed Donald Trump’s plan to meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.
Downing Street said the Prime Minister was still determined to see North Korea ‘change paths’ and put the interests of its people first.
But Mrs May welcomed the new de-escalation in incendiary rhetoric that had raised fears of a catastrophic nuclear conflict.
The US President made the startling announcement last night he would meet the North Korean leader ‘before May’ in defiance of normal diplomatic protocol.
Theresa May (pictured in Downing Street last night) today welcomed Donald Trump’s plan to meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un
South Korea’s national security adviser Chung Eui-yong (left) met US President Donald Trump at the White House last night (pictured) as the surprise meeting was announced
Mrs May’s official spokesman said: ‘The UK welcomes the South Korean announcement that Kim Jong Un has made a renewed commitment to denuclearise and will refrain from further nuclear missile tests while dialogue continues.
‘We welcome the announcement of direct talks with President Trump by May and (South Korean) President Moon Jae-in in April.
‘We have always been clear that we want Kim Jong Un to change path and put the welfare of his people ahead of the illegal pursuit of nuclear weapons.
‘We will continue to work closely with the US, South Korea and the international community to ensure that pressure on North Korea continues and sanctions are strictly enforced until Kim Jong Un matches his words with concrete actions.
‘We will continue to monitor developments closely.’
The Trump-Kim meeting was first announced by South Korea’s national security adviser Chung Eui-yong, who claimed it was due to take place by the end of May.
The US President made the startling announcement last night he would meet the North Korean leader (file image) ‘before May’ in defiance of normal diplomatic protocol
Stiff punishing actions on North Korea will continue, despite the overture, the U.S. stressed
A statement from the White House did not confirm the two-month timeplan, and said the place and time of the meeting was still being worked out.
The announcement was welcomed by governments around the world, with praise from the UK, Russia and Australia.
‘President Trump greatly appreciates the nice words of the South Korean delegation and President Moon. He will accept the invitation to meet with Kim Jong Un at a place and time to be determined,’ White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said an hour after South Korea’s announcement.
‘We look forward to the denuclearization of North Korea. In the meantime, all sanctions and maximum pressure must remain.’
Chung, who made the announcement on behalf of South Korea, led the delegation visiting North Korea earlier this week, and the invitation to meet Trump was reportedly made to him directly by Kim Jong Un.
Chung said that Kim understands and accepts the fact that joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises will continue, but that he also made promises to halt nuclear testings until the meeting with Trump takes place.