The US and South Korea warned on Monday of a quick reaction if North Korea performs a nuclear test. It included US military “adjustments”. But offered negotiations as an alternative.
Despite months of growing tensions, the two allies believe North Korea may test its first nuclear bomb at any time. Sherman met with a colleague from South Korea.
According to the Indo-Asian News Service, they addressed the North’s missile launches and the possibility of a seventh nuclear test.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said to his South Korean counterpart that the US was working with partners in Tokyo and Seoul.
He stated, “to be able to respond quickly should the North Koreans proceed with such a test.”
“And we are prepared to make both short-term and long-term modifications to our military posture as necessary,” he said. “We will maintain pressure on Pyongyang until the government changes course.”
Dedicated to pursuing a diplomatic approach
Blinken reaffirmed that the US had “no hostile intent” toward the North, formally known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“We’ll keep reaching out to the DPRK, and we’re dedicated to taking a diplomatic approach,” Blinken added.
Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin both stated that their countries are willing to engage with Pyongyang “without preconditions.”
However, Blinken admitted there has been no reaction from North Korea, whose leader is Kim Jong Un. He had three high-profile meetings with Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump. The Trump-Kim theatrics lowered tensions.
However, it did not result in a long-term deal on the North’s nuclear programming. Biden has signaled that any negotiations with his government would be on a lower level.
Some North Korean observers saw a potential diplomatic opportunity in Pyongyang’s statement last month which had a COVID-19 outbreak.
After a prior offer from Biden which was turned down, Blinken claimed the US was ready to supply vaccinations to North Korea.
Nuclear testing conducted by North Korea
Kim, according to Park, is at a “fork in the road” as to whether or not to conduct another test. Therefore, risking additional international isolation and sanctions.
“I believe North Korea has completed its preparations for another nuclear test, and all that remains is a political decision,” Park added.
China remains North Korea’s primary ally
North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in contravention of UN resolutions. The US moved to strengthen sanctions.
But China and Russia blocked the proposal at the UN Security Council.
Park said China, the North’s main ally, “should play a very good role in persuading North Korea” against a nuclear test.
Yoon Suk-year, South Korea’s next president, is a conservative who ran on a harder stance than his dovish predecessor, Moon Jae-in.
However, he has also offered to negotiate. “We are willing to be more flexible and open-minded in our approach to diplomacy with North Korea,” he added.
Development of the Japan-Korea relationship
Park also promised to develop relations with Japan. A fellow US ally with difficult relations with Seoul as a result of Tokyo’s brutal colonial occupation of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945.
The Moon government announced in 2019 that it would terminate the GSOMIA, a vital intelligence-sharing agreement with Japan.
But agreed at the last minute to prolong it “conditionally” when Washington expressed concern.
“We want GSOMIA to be normalized as soon as possible, together with the development of the Korea-Japan relationship, so that we can cope with the North Korean menace,” Park added.
