Monday’s statement by the U.S. special representative for North Korea was made by Seoul and Washington. They agreed that a strong response is needed to North Korea’s recent missile test. However, they are open to dialogue.
Sung Kim flew to South Korea Monday for talks, two days after North Korea had conducted a new type missile test during its thirteenth round of weapons firings this year. Experts believe that North Korea is seeking to expand its weaponry and win concessions from its competitors, such as the lifting of sanctions.
The weapons tested included nuclear-capable missiles that can be used to strike both the U.S. continental and its allies, such as South Korea or Japan. To intensify its pressure campaign, there are fears that North Korea might conduct a nuclear attack soon.
Kim said that he and his South Korean counterpart had agreed that there must be a strong response against the “destabilizing behavior” of North Korea. “(We) also agreed that the peninsula needs to have the best possible joint deterrent capabilities.”
Noh Kyu Kyu-duk, South Korean nuclear envoy, stated that he and Kim share concerns that North Korea may continue to engage with acts that will raise tensions in the region. He called on North Korea to resume talks.
Kim stated that the allies have not “closed the door on diplomacy with North Korea” and “have no hostile intent” towards the country. He reiterated his earlier statement, stating that the United States is open to meeting North Korea “anywhere and without conditions”.
North Korea has rejected Kim’s invitation, stating that the United States must abandon its hostile policy before negotiations can resume. Experts believe that North Korea would like the United States to ease sanctions or stop its regular military drills against South Korea. This is what it regards as an invasion rehearsal.
On Monday, the U.S. military and South Korean military began their springtime computer-simulated command posts exercise. Previous drills have been met with hostile rhetoric and missile testing by North Korea.
North Korea claimed Sunday that it had tested a new tactical-guided weapon, which would increase its nuclear fighting capabilities. Analysts believe the weapon will be a short-range missile that can be mounted with a nuclear warhead capable to target South Korea.
In its first long-range weapon test since November 2017, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic Missile that could reach the U.S. homeland.
Since 2019, the U.S.-led diplomacy to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions in exchange for political and economic rewards has largely failed to materialize.
