Summary of external news of North Korea this week

NK weekly-external news

Summary of external news of North Korea this week

SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Yonhap) -- The following is a summary of external news on North Korea this week.

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China's Xi congratulates Kim on reelection to top party post, vows to advance ties

SEOUL -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on his reelection as the ruling party's general secretary, vowing to strengthen strategic cooperation with Pyongyang, a Chinese news report said.

Xi sent the celebratory telegram to Kim after the North Korean leader was reelected as general secretary of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea during the ongoing party congress, Xinhua News Agency reported.

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(LEAD) S. Korea keeps 'all possibilities' in mind on U.S.-N.K. dialogue during Trump's China visit: Seoul envoy

WASHINGTON -- South Korea is keeping a close watch on developments related to the possible resumption of dialogue between the United States and North Korea during President Donald Trump's planned visit to China, its top envoy in Washington said Tuesday, noting Seoul is keeping "all possibilities" in mind.

Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha made the remarks during a press meeting, as Trump reportedly plans to visit China from late next month to early April for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid speculation that he could attempt to reengage with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un while in Asia.

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Rubio signals U.S. openness to dialogue with N. Korea

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday signaled Washington's openness to dialogue with Pyongyang, as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has indicated his willingness to reengage with the United States if it drops its "hostile" policy toward his regime.

Rubio briefly touched on the potential engagement with the reclusive regime during a press availability in Frigate Bay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, as Kim recently issued the message toward the U.S. during a key party congress, saying the prospects of U.S.-North Korea relations "entirely depend on the attitude of the U.S."

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White House says Trump remains open to dialogue with Kim 'without any preconditions'

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump remains open to dialogue with North Korea "without any preconditions," the White House said Thursday, after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed Pyongyang's willingness to talk with the United States if it drops its "hostile" policy toward his regime.

During a recent key party congress, Kim said that Pyongyang has "no reason not to get along with the U.S." if Washington withdraws its hostile policy, noting that the prospects of U.S.-North Korea ties "entirely depend on the U.S. attitude," according to the North's state media.

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