North Korea: US envoy pledges 'strongest possible joint deterrent' over Pyongyang's weapons tests

Tensions have escalated in the Korean peninsula in recent years over North Korea’s continuing weapons tests. The US special representative on North Korea has pledged that both the US and South Korea will maintain a joint deterrent on Pyongyang’s weapons tests.

This week, the US special envoy Sung Kim and his deputy envoy Jung Pak met with South Korean officials, including nuclear envoy Noh Kyu-duk, for their five-day visit to the country. Kim told reporters following his meeting with Noh that it is “important” for the UN Security Council to “send a clear signal to the DPRK that we will not accept its escalatory tests as normal.”

“We agreed on the need to maintain the strongest possible joint deterrent capability on the peninsula,” said Kim.

Kim also said that the allies will issue the appropriate and “decisive” response to North Korea’s “provocative” actions while noting his willingness to engage with Pyongyang without any conditions. Kim’s visit to South Korea also comes amidst the US and South Korea’s annual joint military exercises, which have always drawn the ire of North Korea.

Pyongyang has so far rejected the overtures by Washington, accusing the US of upholding “hostile policies” in the form of the joint drills with South Korea and the sanctions imposed as a result of North Korea’s weapons tests.

Kim is also expected to meet with the transition team of incoming South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol during his visit. While Yoon’s spokesperson said no meeting was confirmed between the president-elect and Kim, Yoon’s nominee for foreign minister Park Jin said he plans to meet with Kim.

Earlier this month, Pyongyang blasted the comments made by South Korea’s defense minister regarding the country’s military capabilities. North Korea warned that it will destroy major targets in South Korea’s capital Seoul should South Korea take any action such as a pre-emptive strike.

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said the comments made by South Korean defense minister Suh Wook “further worsened the inter-Korean relations and military tension on the Korean peninsula,” according to state media outlet KCNA. Kim also said that the country “would reconsider a lot of things” and that South Korea “may face a serious threat” due to the remarks.