White House "Biden Considering DMZ Visit During South Korea Trip"

"North Korea Confirms Imminent 7th Nuclear Test"

Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The White House announced on the 12th (local time) that U.S. President Joe Biden is considering a visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) during his trip to South Korea.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a briefing that day in response to related questions, "The final details of the trip are under review," adding, "The DMZ is a place visited by many who come to Korea." The DMZ has been a regular stop for past U.S. presidents visiting South Korea.

President Biden will visit South Korea from the 20th to the 22nd to hold a summit with President Yoon Suk-yeol, and from the 22nd to the 24th, he will attend the U.S.-Japan summit and the Quad summit involving the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India in Japan.

Press Secretary Psaki stated, "Next week, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will hold a press briefing to announce detailed information about the trip."

The White House also said that North Korea might carry out high-intensity provocations coinciding with President Biden’s visit. Psaki confirmed the existing assessment that North Korea’s seventh nuclear test is imminent, saying, "We believe North Korea is prepared to conduct a nuclear test as early as this month."

She added, "We have shared this information with our allies and partners and are coordinating closely," and said, "Through President Biden’s visit to South Korea, we will strengthen alliances and clearly reaffirm our commitment to South Korea’s security."

The White House stated that North Korea will be a major agenda item during President Biden’s Asia trip.

Psaki said, "Our intelligence assessments align with North Korea’s recent public statements and destabilizing actions, including multiple intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launches," and added, "This topic will be discussed during President Biden’s visits to South Korea and Japan."

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