By BLOOMBERG

SEOUL • North Korea’s economy is in such dire straits that the reclusive nation can’t afford to go back on a promise to US President Donald Trump to wind down its nuclear programme, South Korean President Moon Jae-in (picture) said in an interview with Le Figaro.

Speaking to the French daily ahead of a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, Moon explained why he believes North Korea’s Kim Jong-un will deliver on the pledges made at his historic summit with the US leader in June.

“North Korea’s economy is in huge difficulty due to international sanctions,” Moon said, according to a transcript distributed by his presidential office. “If it breaks the agreement, it will not be able to afford the retribution from the US and the international community.”

While North Korea’s economy has been impoverished for decades, the international community is hungry for news about the impact of the latest round of United Nations sanctions.

Last year, the Asian country was estimated to have suffered its biggest economic slump since 1997.

The US wants to keep sanctions against North Korea in place until Kim completely unwinds his nuclear programme, while Russia and China have argued against this hardline approach. South Korea has said it would consider easing its own sanctions on its neighbour to forge collaboration on railways and roads, while pledging not to undermine global attempts to punish the north’s weapons development.

Ahead of his European visit, Moon was positive about North Korea’s moves to scale down its weapons programme, telling the BBC that Kim’s nucl ea r pl edge “includes everything” — even giving up his existing arsenal. The South Korean president called on the US to match the North’s efforts with reciprocal measures to push the programme forward.

Moon will also emphasise the importance of rewarding the North in his summit with Macron, Yonhap News reported, citing Le Figaro.