Secretary-General, Welcoming Outcome of Pyongyang Inter-Korean Summit, Says ‘Now It Is Time for Concrete Action’

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General welcomes the outcome reached at the third Summit this year between the leaders of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea.  He commends the determination and diplomacy which led to the important agreements contained in today’s Pyongyang Joint Declaration.  The commitments reflected in the joint statement include important military confidence‑building measures and a commitment by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to dismantle missile-engine testing infrastructure in the presence of experts from related countries.  Now it is time for concrete action.

The Secretary-General calls for unity of the international community to support the parties in their endeavours towards sustainable peace, security and complete and verifiable denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions.  The Secretary-General reiterates his commitment and the readiness of the United Nations system to further assist the parties in any way they deem appropriate.