US Deputy Defense Secretary: "Denuclearization is the Only Way for North Korea to Escape Economic Isolation"

John Rood, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense "South Korea Must Increase Defense Spending"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] John Rood, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy, stated on the 28th (local time) that "the only way for North Korea to escape economic isolation is meaningful negotiations toward complete denuclearization."

Attending the House Armed Services Committee hearing that day, Deputy Secretary Rood mentioned that President Donald Trump's North Korea strategy is multifaceted and that the U.S. government is striving for North Korea's complete denuclearization.

Deputy Secretary Rood cited threats from North Korea's conventional weapons, nuclear weapons, and chemical and biological weapons, emphasizing the importance of implementing and enforcing the North Korean regime. He added that these efforts mainly focus on North Korea's illegal coal exports and refined oil imports.

Rood said, "North Korea remains a security threat, and we continue to pursue denuclearization," pointing out that "North Korea not only undermines the international arms control regime and commits human rights violations and abuses but also threatens the U.S. mainland, South Korea, Japan, and other allies."

He continued, "Partnership with South Korea is very important," adding, "Our goal is to maintain and strengthen the alliance and to transform it to address future challenges."

Deputy Secretary Rood also expressed his opinion on the necessity of increasing South Korea's defense spending. He said, "We ask our partners and allies, especially wealthy countries, to share a significant burden in maintaining peace, security, and stability."

He added, "We are engaged in tough negotiations but are committed to reaching mutually beneficial and fair agreements to strengthen the alliance and combined defense."

He emphasized, "The ROK-U.S. alliance is prepared to fight tonight if necessary," and "The goal remains to provide the diplomatic space needed for diplomacy."

Lieutenant General David Allvin, who is in charge of strategy and policy at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also pointed out, "North Korea remains a military threat to the U.S. and its allies," noting that "despite diplomatic negotiations between North Korea and the U.S., North Korea's development and modernization of military capabilities such as ballistic missiles have continued."

He continued, "We have exercised careful coordination of military activities to enable diplomacy, but the focus on readiness and interoperability remains, as demonstrated by the 2019 exercises," emphasizing, "The ROK-U.S. exercises ensure readiness to fight tonight."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.