North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reaffirmed that he is committed to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and expressed hope for a phased process in resolving the issue. 

The North's official Korean Central News Agency(KCNA) reported on Friday that Kim made the remarks during talks with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Pyongyang on Thursday.

According to the report, Kim said that the North's will for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula remains unchanged, consistent and solid.

He also expressed hope that Pyongyang-Washington relations and the denuclearization of the peninsula will be solved on a stage-by-stage basis.
   
Kim expressed hope that two sides will resolve the denuclearization issue through "effective and constructive" dialogue and negotiations, finding a solution that satisfies the interests of each other in a new era.

The KCNA said that in the meeting, Lavrov conveyed a message to Kim from Russian President Vladimir Putin, for which the North Korean leader expressed gratitude.  The report did not elaborate on the details of Putin's message. 

The report did say that Pyongyang and Moscow agreed to realize a meeting between their leaders this year which marks the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties. 

Lavrov reportedly said that Russia fully supports the North's determination and position on the Pyongyang-Washington summit and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and wishes for a successful outcome to both issues.

[Photo : YONHAP News]