UK welcomes North Korea denuclearization deal

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - The U.K. on Tuesday welcomed the deal between American President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to denuclearize the far east country.

“We welcome that President Trump and Kim Jong Un have held a constructive summit,” Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said.

“This is an important step towards the stability of a region vital to global economic growth and home to thousands of British nationals and important U.K. interests,” he said.

Trump and Kim signed what was described as a "comprehensive" deal in front of international camera crews.

The deal explained that the U.S. is "committed to provide security guarantees" to North Korea in return for Pyongyang's "firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization".

“The reaffirmation of North Korea’s commitment in the Panmunjom Declaration to work towards complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula is a signal that Kim Jong Un may have finally heeded the message that only a change of course can bring a secure and prosperous future to the people of North Korea,” Johnson said.

Johnson also said: “There is much work still to be done and we hope Kim continues to negotiate in good faith towards complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization.”

“The U.K. will continue to support the United States in its efforts to achieve denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.”

Further meetings between Washington and Pyongyang are planned to cement the next steps from both sides in fulfilling Tuesday's outline deal.