US State Department: "North Korea Must Refrain from Unproductive Actions"... Trump Remains Nonresponsive

The Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office where the Inter-Korean Health and Medical Cooperation Subcommittee meeting was held on November 7, 2018. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 16th (local time), the U.S. Department of State urged North Korea to refrain from unproductive actions. The U.S. government voiced concerns over North Korea's demolition of the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, but President Donald Trump and the White House have made no special remarks.

According to Voice of America (VOA) on the 16th (local time), a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State said, "The United States fully supports South Korea's efforts toward inter-Korean relations," adding, "North Korea must refrain from further unproductive actions."

Earlier, another U.S. government official stated, "We are aware that North Korea destroyed the Kaesong liaison office and are closely coordinating with our ally South Korea."

The U.S. government's response that day is interpreted as expressing support for South Korea's position in promoting inter-Korean relations while warning North Korea against the possibility of further provocations.

Additionally, as President Moon Jae-in has announced active steps to improve relations with North Korea, attention is also focused on the possibility that the U.S. may change its stance on South Korea's previously restricted activities such as tourism to Mount Kumgang.

However, President Trump has made no comments despite the increasing severity of North Korea's provocative actions. At the signing ceremony for the police reform executive order held in the White House Rose Garden that day, Trump continued to criticize China but made no mention of North Korea. He also refrained from mentioning North Korea in his tweets.

Last year, when North Korea repeatedly launched short-range missiles, President Trump maintained a stance of not being overly concerned, stating that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un did not break his promises to him.

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