US Expresses Unusual "Disappointment" to North Korea Over Cutoff of Inter-Korean Channels

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 9th (local time), the United States expressed unusual disappointment over North Korea's decision to sever inter-Korean communication channels. While many view North Korea's actions as part of the 'Tongmibongnam' strategy, recent hardline moves against South Korea are perceived as targeting not only South Korea but also the United States, interpreted as an attempt to preemptively block potential provocations.

On the 9th (local time), Voice of America (VOA) reported that when asked about North Korea's unilateral cutoff of all inter-Korean communication channels, a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department said, “We are disappointed. The United States has always supported progress in inter-Korean relations.”

The spokesperson added, “We urge North Korea to return to diplomacy and cooperation. We continue to coordinate closely with our ally, South Korea.”

While the State Department maintained its usual principled stance of "supporting inter-Korean cooperation" and "cooperation aligned with denuclearization progress" just the day before, the use of the term "disappointed" on this day indicates a serious view of the current situation.

This is the first time the U.S. has expressed disappointment toward North Korea since the end of last year, when North Korea hinted at provocations by announcing Christmas gifts. The U.S. has generally tried to avoid provoking North Korea, but this statement signifies careful monitoring of the current situation.

The U.S. interprets North Korea's actions as ostensibly directed at South Korea over the issue of anti-North Korea leaflets, but underlying this is a pressure message aimed at the United States.

At the expanded meeting of the Workers' Party Central Military Commission chaired by North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un on the 23rd of last month, policies to strengthen nuclear war deterrence were presented, indicating a possibility of reverting to pre-North Korea-U.S. denuclearization negotiations.

Although North Korea did not specify details at the time, it sparked interpretations that they might be considering tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) or submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).

For President Trump, with the presidential election approaching, there was sufficient reason to take preemptive measures, as North Korea's resumption of missile and nuclear tests would deal a fatal blow to the commitments made with him.

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