North Korea says peace treaty, halt to exercises, would end nuclear tests

North Korea has called for the conclusion of a peace treaty with the United States and a halt to USA military exercises with South Korea in return for an end to its nuclear tests.

Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken and South Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam are attending the talks at the Iikura Guesthouse in Tokyo.

Analysts say China is expected to back only a limited version of new U.N. sanctions against North Korea’s latest nuclear test because Beijing fears pushing Pyongyang too hard could lead to its collapse, instability on its border and ultimately the emergence of a pro-U.S. nation next door.

The Kim Jong-un regime is coming under ever-mounting pressure now that Iran, its onetime partner in covert arms trade and nuclear and missile development, is free from crippling worldwide sanctions after Sunday’s (Korea time) formal announcement.

On Janury 6, North Korea confirmed in an official statement it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, stating that the test had been carried out with aims of “self-defense”, while stressing that the country will not use nuclear weapons provided its sovereignty is not violated. “It’s our expectation, along with our colleagues from Japan and the Republic of Korea, that China will demonstrate leadership at the Security Council with us in ensuring that there are significant consequences for North Korea’s actions”.

Asked if the United States would consider a halt to joint exercises, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said it had alliance commitments to South Korea.

The Korean Peninsula remains technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

The North’s H-bomb claims have been met with widespread condemnation and suspicion, but also questions on how to stop the country’s growing nuclear threat. Pyongyang’s nuclear program has triggered multiple protests from the worldwide community.

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Blinken said that Pyongyang should look to the example of Iran.