Troop pullout from South Korea not on summit agenda: US

By Riyaz ul Khaliq </p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – U.S. President Donald Trump has said that withdrawing American troops from South Korea was not on the agenda of his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Vietnamese capital later this month, local media reported.</p> <p>“No, it's not. That [troop withdrawal] is not one of the things on the table,&quot; Trump told reporters on Friday when asked if he would consider withdrawing some of the 28,500 troops from South Korea. </p> <p>His remarks came a few days after phone call with his South Korean counterpart in which the duo discussed the Hanoi Summit set for Feb. 27 and 28. </p> <p>During the phone conversation held on Feb. 19, South Korean President Moon Jae-in praised Trump for “peace-making efforts” with North Korea, a statement by the Korean presidency said. </p> <p>The statement said that Moon praised Trump’s “ongoing novel, bold diplomatic endeavors for the sake of peace on the Korean Peninsula”. </p> <p>“[I] expect the summit slated for next week in Hanoi to become a critical turning point that adds substance to agreements reached at the historic Singapore summit last June, which aimed to complete denuclearization, establish a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and advance North Korea-U.S. relations,” the statement quoted Moon as having told Trump during the 35-minute phone call. </p> <p>Trump and Kim are set to take forward the discussions on denuclearization and lifting of UN sanction on Pyongyang held during historic Singapore summit last June. </p> <p>The statement quoted Moon as saying that South Korea can also play a role “in corresponding measures aimed at encouraging North Korea to take denuclearization steps”. </p> <p>The South Korean president said that his government was determined to take on any role “should President Trump make a request, anything ranging from the connection of railroads and roads between the South and North to inter-Korean economic cooperation projects”. </p> <p>“This would be a way to lessen burdens on the United States,” he added. </p> <p>Moon said that it was because of “Trump’s unwavering resolve” that “difficult negotiations with North Korea have made headway up to this point”. </p> <p>“Significant progress in inter-Korean relations is also attributable to your strong endorsement,” Moon told Trump over the phone call. </p> <p>He noted over the past 25 years, numerous negotiations have failed to produce results, which only allowed the North to strengthen its nuclear and missile capabilities. </p> <p>“You are now striving to overcome these unsuccessful diplomatic endeavors and seek a new diplomatic strategy for denuclearization and the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula,” Moon told the U.S. president. </p> <p>The statement said that Trump briefed Moon on the current state of preparations for the Hanoi Summit and the developments in negotiations with North Korea. </p> <p>“The two leaders had extensive, in-depth discussions on concrete measures for cooperation to ensure the success of the upcoming second North Korea-U.S. summit,” it added.