Sanctions beginning to have big impact on North Korea: Trump
US President Donald Trump said today that sanctions and "other pressures" are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea as Kim Jong Un offered an olive branch to South Korea.
Trump's latest observation on North Korea comes even as Kim Jong Un said he was "open to dialogue" with South Korea.
Sanctions and “other” pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018
In a televised address to the nation on New Years Day, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country was "a peace-loving and responsible nuclear power" while calling for improved ties with South Korea.
"When it comes to North-South relations, we should lower the military tensions on the Korean Peninsula to create a peaceful environment," Kim said, adding that "both North and South should make efforts."
Kim also said he may consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics Games to be held in South Korea next month.
"North Korea's participation in the Winter Games will be a good opportunity to showcase the national pride and we wish the Games will be a success. Officials from the two Koreas may urgently meet to discuss the possibility," Kim said.
Lee Hee- beom, president of the Pyeongchang Organizing Committee, said the organisation welcomed North Korean participation.