Quad urges dialogue with North Korea... US "Ready to meet unconditionally" (Summary)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The leaders of the four Quad countries, a coalition aimed at countering China, called for North Korea's complete denuclearization and engagement in dialogue through a joint statement following their first face-to-face summit. The U.S. State Department stated that it holds no hostility toward North Korea and is ready to meet.

According to major foreign media on the 25th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who met at the White House the previous day, emphasized in their joint statement after the summit, "We reaffirm the necessity of North Korea's complete denuclearization and resolving the issue of Japanese abductees in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions."

The call for substantive dialogue engagement with North Korea at the Quad leaders' level reflects President Biden's intent, while the issue of Japanese abductees was raised by Prime Minister Suga of Japan.

The leaders also urged the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar and the early restoration of democracy. They pledged to strengthen cooperation in COVID-19 vaccines, climate change, technology, and space sectors.

Earlier, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed its existing stance regarding President Moon Jae-in's declaration for the end of the war and North Korean Vice Chairman Kim Yo-jong's statement, saying it has "no hostile intent" and is "ready to meet unconditionally."

The Biden administration has maintained a position supporting inter-Korean dialogue. The joint statement from the May South Korea-U.S. summit included the phrase that "President Biden expressed support for dialogue, engagement, and cooperation between South and North Korea."

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, stated in a commentary released on the 25th Korean time that if mutual respect between the two Koreas is maintained, discussions on a South-North summit, reestablishment of the inter-Korean joint liaison office, and a declaration to end the war could take place.

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