Park Jin, "Discussing Response Measures to Provocations by the US and North Korea"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] On the 12th (local time), Foreign Minister Park Jin stated regarding the North Korean issue, “We will strengthen our deterrence so that North Korea cannot provoke, and if they provoke again, we will respond firmly.”

Foreign Minister Park Jin is delivering opening remarks at the event hosted by the Korean Peninsula Club and the Peace Club held on the 10th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Conference Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The Korean Peninsula Club is a gathering of 20 resident diplomatic missions in South Korea concurrently accredited to North Korea, and the Peace Club is a gathering of 20 resident diplomatic missions in South Korea that have permanent missions to North Korea. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Minister Park visited Washington DC, USA, for the Korea-US Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the same day. After laying a wreath at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, he told reporters, “Tomorrow, I plan to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss cooperation measures to prevent North Korea’s provocations and to respond firmly to any provocations amid the grave situation on the Korean Peninsula.”

Earlier that day, Minister Park arrived through Dulles Airport near Washington DC in the morning. In the afternoon, he paid respects at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Regarding the possibility of North Korea’s 7th nuclear test, he said, “It is observed that preparations for the nuclear test have been completed, so only a political decision remains. Although we cannot know exactly when North Korea will carry out such a provocation, it is preferable to resolve the issue through dialogue and diplomacy rather than continuous provocations by North Korea.”

Concerning North Korean Workers' Party General Secretary Kim Jong-un’s declaration of the “strong versus strong direct confrontation principle” and the low-intensity provocation through multiple rocket launcher launches, he said, “North Korea should implement policies for the people suffering from COVID-19 rather than talking about ‘strong versus strong.’ We have expressed our intention to provide humanitarian aid to alleviate North Korea’s suffering from COVID-19, separate from political and military considerations regarding North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, but there has been no response, which is regrettable.”

He added, “President Yoon Suk-yeol said that if North Korea comes forward for denuclearization, Korea can boldly pursue plans for economic cooperation and the future prosperity of North Korea. I hope North Korea listens carefully and makes the right choice.”

He said, “If North Korea makes such a choice, there are many incentives we can provide to North Korea. We are fully prepared to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

Regarding the next Korea-US summit, he said, “Since President Joe Biden invited us during his last visit, we expect to hold the Korea-US summit in the US at an appropriate time. Both countries will likely decide on a convenient time.”

Regarding the Korea-Japan summit, he said, “Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida mentioned in a recent phone call that he hopes to meet soon, so I think there will be an appropriate opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Minister Park is scheduled to hold his first foreign ministers’ meeting with Secretary of State Blinken on the 13th to discuss the North Korean nuclear issue and other Korean Peninsula matters.

It is expected that the two countries will discuss specific response measures at bilateral and multilateral levels in case of North Korea’s nuclear test, as well as ways to prevent further provocations by North Korea.

There will likely be an exchange of views on issues including the deployment of strategic assets and measures to expand extended deterrence.

The meeting is also expected to cover strengthening security cooperation among Korea, the US, and Japan, enhancing economic security cooperation, and issues related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

During his visit to the US, which lasts until the 15th, Minister Park plans to meet with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to discuss economic and energy cooperation. He will also meet with leaders of the US Congress and think tank experts.

Regarding this, Minister Park said, “A newly elevated Korea-US alliance is being formed, encompassing not only traditional military security but also economic and technological alliances. As the global supply chain changes in the era of economic security, Korea and the US are leading the way to create a new order in the Indo-Pacific region and to cooperate on global issues, transforming into such an alliance.”

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