US envoy Sung Kim referred to attempts to explore “sustained, substantive diplomacy” with North Korea. (file)
Seoul:
The US envoy to North Korea said on Sunday that North Korea’s recent ballistic missile tests were “concerning and counterproductive” to efforts to defuse tensions, and that Pyongyang should instead engage in talks.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul, Special Representative Sung Kim said the United States was committed to the pursuit of “sustained and substantive diplomacy” with North Korea.
“Our goal is the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula,” Kim said. “Therefore Pyongyang’s recent ballistic missile test, one of several in the past six weeks, is concerning and counterproductive to progress towards lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
Pyongyang has so far rejected the US proposals, accusing Washington and Seoul of talking diplomacy while increasing tensions with their military activities.
On Thursday, the North said the United States was overreacting to a submarine-launched ballistic missile test in what it called self-defense, and questioned the integrity of Washington’s talks proposals, warning of consequences.
Kim said the launch violated several UN Security Council resolutions and posed a threat to North Korea’s neighbors and the international community.
“We call on the DPRK to stop these provocations and other destabilizing activities and instead engage in dialogue,” he said, using the initials of North Korea’s official name. “We stand ready to meet with the DPRK without preconditions and we have made clear that the United States has no hostile intentions towards the DPRK.”
South Korea’s nuclear envoy Noh Kyu-duk said Sunday talks with Kim included “serious” discussions on Seoul’s proposal to formally end the state of war that has been in place since the 1950-1953 Korean War. technically in existence, ended in an armistice rather than a ceasefire. peace treaty.
South Korean officials see such an announcement as a gesture of goodwill to start talks.
Kim said Washington is discussing ways to progress with North Korea, including proposals for the South’s end of the war and possible humanitarian aid projects.
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