President Biden Sends Firm Message Against North Korean Provocations During Visit to South Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Inho Yoo] President Joe Biden's visit to South Korea is being analyzed as delivering a firm message to North Korea.

U.S. President Joe Biden arrived at Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi-do on the 20th and is seen disembarking from his official aircraft, Air Force One. President Biden will visit South Korea from the 20th to the 22nd and Japan from the 22nd to the 24th. / Osan = Photo by Joint Press Corps

Amid high possibilities of North Korea conducting nuclear tests or missile provocations during Biden's visits to South Korea and Japan, the emphasis on the strong South Korea-US alliance serves as a warning to North Korea.

The US State Department also stated on the 20th (local time) that President Biden's tour of South Korea and Japan is clearly intended to send a message of firm response to North Korea's threats and attacks.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said at a briefing that day, "We remain concerned that North Korea may attempt additional provocations such as intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launches or nuclear tests during or after President Biden's visits to South Korea and Japan."

Earlier, Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, mentioned the possibility of North Korea's nuclear test during an in-flight briefing en route to Alaska, a stopover on his way to Seoul, on the 19th (local time), citing analyses from US intelligence agencies, and said, "We are prepared for such contingencies."

This year alone, North Korea has conducted 16 missile provocations including ICBMs, and South Korea-US authorities assess that North Korea has completed preparations for additional ICBM launches or nuclear tests and is only weighing the timing. The US has previously made several warnings to North Korea while publicly sharing this assessment.

Spokesperson Price said, "President Biden is in the region now to send a message of solidarity with our partners and to assure our allies and partners that the US will be there to provide deterrence."

He emphasized that President Biden will make it very clear through meetings with South Korean and Japanese leaders that the US will respond firmly to any threats or attacks.

The possibility of North Korea engaging in military provocations is being reported through various agencies.

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also expressed on the 20th that North Korea's nuclear test is imminent.

He said, "According to the information we have, much more nuclear material, more enrichment facilities, and new sites are operating for an imminent nuclear test."

He stressed, "North Korea had already developed nuclear weapons by 2009 and has advanced its nuclear program in every possible direction. This is an extremely concerning issue."

Meanwhile, President Biden's planned visit on the afternoon of the 22nd to the Korea Air and Space Operations Center (KAOC) in Osan, Gyeonggi Province, is also seen as a message to North Korea. The South Korea-US leaders will receive operational briefings at KAOC and encourage the troops conducting combined operations.

Located in an underground bunker at Osan Air Base, KAOC commands and controls aerospace operations within the Korean Peninsula theater and effectively serves as the South Korean military's "strategic command." KAOC identifies all aircraft entering Korean airspace and the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) and directs responses in emergencies.

The visit by the South Korea-US leaders to KAOC is interpreted as a demonstration of the South Korea-US alliance and a warning message to North Korea amid heightened possibilities of provocations such as ICBM launches or nuclear tests.

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