PYONGYANG -- At the beginning of 2019, Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has released a series of positive signals in his New Year speech by reaffirming his resolution to achieve denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Kim said Tuesday that he would push forward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and was ready to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at any time.

"I am always ready to sit down again with the U.S. president at any time and will make efforts to produce an outcome that the international community would welcome," Kim said.

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VIENNA -- The European Parliament election in May will determine whether Europe will play a role on a global level in the future or whether it will be the "ball of other powers", Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto agreed on Tuesday.

Van der Bellen made the remarks at a joint press conference after meeting with Niinisto, his guest at the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year Concert, Austrian Press Agency reported.

"It will show whether Europe is moving in the direction of nationalism, thereby weakening itself" or whether the member states will be aware of what European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker meant in his speech on the state of the European Union (EU) last September, Van der Bellen said.

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SEOUL -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowed on Wednesday to continue his government's economic reform drive in 2019 to create jobs and fair economy through innovation and improved industrial structure.

Moon made the pledge during his meeting with businessmen to mark the start of the new year. It was held at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) headquarters, attended by about 300 government officials and business leaders.

"The way to change our economy is a way that must be walked," said Moon who acknowledged that it would take time and cause controversy because it is the way nobody has ever walked.

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BEIRUT -- Deputy Speaker of Lebanese Parliament Elie Ferzli said Wednesday that a government will be formed before Beirut hosts the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit later this month, local media reported.

"We will witness the formation of the government in the coming few days before the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit," Ferzli told Voice of Lebanon radio channel. Enditem

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