North Korea ‘refuses to denuclearise unless US agrees a new peace treaty’

North Korea is refusing to denuclearise unless the US meets its demands for a new peace treaty, it has been reported.

A month after the historic summit between US president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore, the two sides have made slow progress.

Quoting a source with knowledge of North Korea’s position, CNN said Pyonygang wants Washington to make a “bold move” and agree to a peace treaty that would replace the armistice agreement that ended the Korean War.

Without such a treaty, which would require two-thirds approval in the US senate, North Korea is unlikely to proceed with denuclearisation, CNN reported.

According to the report, North Korea feels it has held up its end of the deal agreed in Singapore by freezing missile and nuclear testing, destroying a nuclear site and planning the repatriation of war remains of US service members.

It wants Mr Trump to start lifting sanctions in return, although US officials say Mr Trump is privately frustrated about the slow progress since he met Mr Kim face to face last month.

Last week, the US president urged patience on the issue.

MORE: Heathrow introduces scanners that could mean you no longer need remove liquids from your bag
MORE: Female police officer floored by protestors during EDL march against new mosque in Worcester

“We have no rush for speed,” he said. “We have no time limit. We have no speed limit. We’re just going through the process. But the relationships are very good.”

The two countries agreed to “work toward complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula”, a phrase that may mean different things in Pyongyang and Washington.

CNN said the US is expecting the return of the first group of remains of US soldiers killed during the Korean War at the end of this week, on July 27, the 65th anniversary of the signing of the armistice which established the demilitarised zone which still divides North and South Korea.

It has also been reported that North Korea has cancelled key meetings with US officials, leaving American diplomats frustrated at the lack of progress.

The Washington Post reported that US intelligence officials claim North Korea is concealing parts of its nuclear programme and that a missile-engine testing facility earmarked for destruction remains open.

While the US wants North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, in return, it wants sanctions lifted much earlier.