Singapore and North Korea foreign ministers meet in Pyongyang, discuss ties and regional issues

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who visited Pyongyang earlier this week, said last Thursday he believes North Korea is not yet ready to hold talks with Japan, the United States and South Korea, according to his ministry. In an interview with Singaporean media to wrap up his three-nation trip to Northeast Asia, which took him to China and the two Koreas, Balakrishnan said Pyongyang does not appear to be keen on any engagement externally and instead is “focusing on building up their own self-reliance as well as their own military deterrence.” “I would say what’s clear is that they’re certainly […]...Keep on reading: Singapore says N. Korea not ready for talks with Japan, US, S. Korea

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Thursday asked for Singapore's support in creating conditions conducive to dialogue with North Korea during his meeting with his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, Seoul's foreign ministry said. Balakrishnan is visiting Seoul following his trips to China and North Korea that began Sunday. It marked his first visit to South Korea since taking office in 2015 and the first visit by a Singaporean foreign minister to South Korea since 2007. During the meeting, Cho heard about Balakrishnan's visit to North Korea and called for interest and support from Singapore and other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member nations in helping create an environment for dialogue with North Korea. He also explained South Korea's policy and efforts aimed at achieving peaceful coexistence with the North on the peninsula. Balakrishnan stressed the need for South Korea and Singapore to maintain close communication to promote peace and stability on the peninsula, the ministry said. While in North Korea, Balakrishnan met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe So

Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan held talks with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui in Pyongyang on Tuesday to further develop bilateral relations, North Korea’s state-run media said Wednesday. Balakrishnan arrived in Pyongyang the same day and is scheduled to travel to South Korea for talks with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Thursday, according to South Korean media. READ: North Korea plane carrying Kim lands in Singapore During the meeting, the North Korean and Singaporean foreign ministers exchanged views on developing ties “in a multifaceted way” by boosting exchanges and cooperation, as well as on regional and international issues, […]...Keep on reading: Singapore foreign minister visits N. Korea, agrees to boost ties

North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui has held talks with her Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan in Pyongyang, state media said Wednesday, in the first visit by a Singaporean foreign minister to North Korea in eight years. On Tuesday, the two discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen cooperation in "multiple areas," as well as "regional and international matters," according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Balakrishnan was greeted upon arrival at Pyongyang International Airport the previous day by Vice Foreign Minister Pak Sang-gil and Ro Kil-song, North Korea's ambassador to Singapore. North Korea's foreign ministry also hosted a welcoming dinner for the Singaporean delegation, the report said. The Pyongyang stop is part of Balakrishnan's five-day Northeast Asia tour from Sunday to Thursday, which also includes visits to China and South Korea. Singapore has maintained a relatively cordial relationship with North Korea, most notably providing the venue for the historic first summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jon