Pompeo, who criticized China, says "Korea is a democratic friend to work with"

US and South Korea Reaffirm Support for North America Denuclearization Talks and Commitment to Sanctions Against North Korean Threats

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The foreign and defense chiefs of the United States and Australia, while strengthening their anti-China cooperation, mentioned South Korea as a partner for collaboration. They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting denuclearization talks between North Korea and the United States and to enforcing sanctions against North Korea.

Secretary Pompeo stated at a press conference held after the 2+2 meeting and working lunch on the 28th (local time), "I am confident that friends of democracy worldwide?whether in Europe, India, Japan, South Korea, or Australia here today?understand that the challenge of our time is to ensure these countries cherish freedom and seek economic prosperity based on the rule of law." He mentioned South Korea and added, "We will work together to implement this for our people."

The State Department also reaffirmed in a separate joint statement that the Indo-Pacific is the focus of the alliance, and that the United States and Australia cooperate alongside ASEAN, India, Japan, South Korea, and the Five Eyes to strengthen networked alliances and partnerships to maintain a secure, prosperous, broad, and rules-based region.

The United States and Australia also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting denuclearization talks between North Korea and the United States and to enforcing sanctions against North Korea.

The State Department stated in the joint statement that the two ministers confirmed their support for denuclearization talks between the United States and North Korea and their determination to fully enforce sanctions to respond to the security and regional stability threats posed by North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Despite the prolonged deadlock in denuclearization talks between North Korea and the United States, this reaffirmation of support for resuming diplomatic dialogue and commitment to sanctions enforcement appears to reinforce the two-track approach of dialogue and pressure.

This mention came after North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un referred to a "self-defensive nuclear deterrent" and stated that North Korea has "walked the path of self-development as a nuclear-armed state."

Meanwhile, the joint statement expressed serious concerns about recent coercive and destabilizing actions in the Indo-Pacific region and confirmed that China’s maritime claims are not valid under international law and that China cannot claim sovereignty in the South China Sea.

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