an hour agoUS calls on North Korea to stop launching missiles
Periskopi(5 years ago)
(5 years ago)A senior U.S. diplomat called on North Korea to end a series of missile tests that he has recently carried out and to return talks, following a meeting he had with southeastern officials in Seoul. “We call on North Korea to stop these provocations and activities [...]
“We call on North Korea to stop these provocations and other destabilizing activities and engage in dialogue”, said Sung Kim, the leading American official on North Korean issues.
He reiterated that the United States “is willing to meet with North Korea without any precondition” and made it clear that Washington “has no hostile intention towards North Korea”.
Kim spoke to reporters after his meeting in Seoul with his South Korean counterparts. This meeting came days after North Korea tested a ballistic missile, which was the last test on a series of missile tests, while talks between Washington and gyan have stalled.
The launch of this missile violated numerous UN Security Council resolutions and “pose a threat to North Korean neighbours and the international community”, Kim said.
Kim said that the United States continues to be committed to exploring the stable and essential <x0-diploma with North Korea and continues to have the same attitude that the Korean peninsula must be fully deregulated.
Therefore, the last ballistic test of jinn, which was one of several tests in the last six weeks, is disturbing and counterproductive in achieving progress towards lasting peace on the Korean peninsula”, Kim said.
President Joe Biden's administration has reiterated that it is ready to meet with North Korea “wherever and at any time” without preconditions.
But, North Korea says that for the return to the talks, the U.S. must give up what it calls a hostile policy against genus. North Korea has dismissed US indictees, accusing Washington and Seoul of talking about diplomacy, but are already pushing tensions through their military activities.
North Korea said on 21 October that the US is overreacting to testing the ballistic missile, which it said is self-defense and questioned the sincerity of Washington's bid to hold talks.
Meanwhile, South Korea's envoy for nuclear affairs, Noh Kiu-duk, said talks with Kim have included “serious discussions on Seoul's proposal to officially end the war, which technically exists since 1950-1953 when the Korean war ended through a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty.
South Korea views such a declaration as a gesture of goodwill that would give a boost to negotiations. Kim said Washington has also discussed ways to make progress with South Korea, including Seoul's proposal of ending the war and possible humanitarian aid projects.
