By Xu Aiying and Sohn JiAe

Cheong Wa Dae announced on June 5 that whether the U.S. and North Korea will sign a mutual non-aggression pledge is a matter that must be talked about only after the two sides declare an end to war.

Spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom said during a regular press briefing that, “As U.S. President Donald Trump said, they are talking about ending the war. However, both the declaration of ceasing the war and a mutual non-aggression pledge are not something that should go hand-in-hand.”

“It’s because the matter of non-aggression can tell quite a different story, depending on the type of the agreement between the two sides, whether it be a declaration, a pledge or a treaty,” Kim explained.

Regarding China’s role in the declaration of the end to war, the spokesperson said, “I briefed the press on the results of the May 4 phone conversation between the leaders of Korea and China, which were that Korea is having close discussions, communication and cooperation with Beijing on the declaration of an end to war and on a peace treaty. That stance remains the same.”

xuaiy@korea.kr