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Trump suggests he could "make a deal" with North Korea

US President Donald Trump has suggested he could "make a deal" with Kim Jong Un over his nuclear ...
Newstalk
Newstalk

14.20 7 Nov 2017


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Trump suggests he could &#...

Trump suggests he could "make a deal" with North Korea

Newstalk
Newstalk

14.20 7 Nov 2017


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US President Donald Trump has suggested he could "make a deal" with Kim Jong Un over his nuclear programme.

The comments follow on from his previous threats to "destroy" North Korea.

On his first day on the Korean peninsula, the President said the US would use military force if needed - but toned down his rhetoric, predicting that "ultimately, it'll all work out."

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During a news conference alongside South Korean President Moon Jae-in, President Trump said he had seen "a lot of progress" on the North Korea issue.

He said: "It makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and make a deal that is good for the people of North Korea and for the world."

The President underlined America's military strength in the region, noting that three aircraft carrier groups and a nuclear submarine had been deployed there.

But he said, "we hope to God we never have to use" military options.

Asian tour

President Trump is on a tour of Asia that will take him and first lady Melania to five countries over 11 days.

He has previously threatened to unleash "fire and fury" on North Korea and sought to belittle the country's leader by calling him "Little Rocket Man."

He said Mr Kim is threatening "millions and millions of lives, so needlessly" and that one of the main goals of his Asia trip was to secure help from countries like China and Russia to pressure Pyongyang into giving up its nuclear ambitions.

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"North Korea's sixth test of a nuclear device and its missile launches are a threat not only to the people of South Korea but the people all across our globe," he said.

Permanent peace

Mr Moon said the two leaders had "agreed to resolve the North Korea nuclear issue in peaceful manner" that would "bring permanent peace" to the peninsula.

President Trump praised South Korea for buying US military equipment and said he hoped to improve on the two countries' current trade agreement, which he said was "not successful and not very good" for the United States.

President Trump is skipping the customary trip to the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea - a pilgrimage made by every US president except one since Ronald Reagan as a demonstration of solidarity with the South.


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