US-ROK Chief Nuclear Envoys: "Strong UNSC Response If North Korea Proceeds with Nuclear Test"

No Kyu-duk, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sung Kim, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea at the U.S. Department of State, are holding a consultation on North Korea nuclear issues on the 18th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

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[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The South Korea-U.S. senior nuclear envoys met on the 18th and reaffirmed their stance that both countries will respond firmly if North Korea conducts future nuclear tests or other additional provocations.

No Kyu-duk, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held talks with Sung Kim, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building during Kim's visit to South Korea. This meeting came two weeks after their last meeting in Washington D.C. on the 4th.

After the talks, Director No told reporters, "The reason Representative Kim and I met again today after two weeks is because we judged that the situation has entered a very sensitive phase," adding, "Since North Korea has declared its intention to enhance its nuclear and missile capabilities, Representative Kim and I shared concerns that North Korea's tension-raising actions are likely to continue."

He emphasized, "If North Korea proceeds with high-intensity violations of UN Security Council resolutions such as nuclear tests and ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) launches, South Korea and the U.S. will respond strongly through seamless cooperation, including at the UN Security Council."

He continued, "Representative Kim and I agreed that maintaining a strong combined defense posture between South Korea and the U.S. is more important than ever, and Representative Kim reaffirmed the U.S.'s firm defense commitment to South Korea."

Representative Kim also said, "We reiterated our joint condemnation of North Korea's recent tension-raising actions," and added, "We agreed on the necessity of a strong response to North Korea's destabilizing activities."

He explained, "We discussed North Korea's ballistic missile launches this year, including three recent ICBM launches," and "We also discussed how to respond to North Korea's future actions, including the possibility of nuclear tests."

Representative Kim stated, "We agreed on the need to maintain the strongest possible combined deterrence on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "This is why the South Korean and U.S. militaries conduct joint training and exercises today." He also reaffirmed the existing position, saying, "At the same time, we will continue to pursue diplomatic approaches toward North Korea, and we are ready to meet anywhere without preconditions."

Both sides exchanged views on the escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea's disclosure of a new tactical guided weapon test launch the previous day and mentions of strengthening tactical nuclear operational capabilities. Amid concerns that North Korea might use the ongoing South Korea-U.S. joint exercises as a pretext for additional provocations, they reportedly discussed response measures such as the new UN Security Council sanctions resolution against North Korea being pursued by the U.S.

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