North Korea this month carried out its fifth and biggest nuclear test, which followed a series of missile launches in violation of United Nations resolutions barring Pyongyang from developing nuclear and missile technology.
Advertisement
Meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers said the North Korean test earlier this month would not go unanswered.
Broadcasts from Pyongyang and commentaries carried in the state-run press in recent weeks have warned Washington and Seoul that if they take any military action threatening North Korea’s survival, it would “immediately fire” its nuclear warheads. “In this regard, the three countries are working closely with partners at the United Nations and in other fora to pressure the DPRK”, the statement said.
During the meeting, the Ministers explored ways to work together to ensure that all countries fully and effectively implement all their obligations and commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 2270, which imposed the strongest sanctions ever placed upon North Korea, in response to the DPRK’s accelerated, systematic, and unprecedented campaign to develop an operational nuclear capability. They reaffirmed that they remain open to credible and authentic talks aimed at full and verifiable denuclearization of the DPRK and that they are willing to honor the commitments in the September 19, 2005 Six-Party Talks Joint Statement.
South Korea’s foreign minister, Yun Byung-se, appeared in no mood Sunday to consider negotiations with his country’s arch-rival, in view of Pyongyang’s repeated defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions and sanctions.
North Korea’s Foreign Minister, Ri Yong Ho, said on Thursday the country was ready to launch another attack against the “provocations” of the United States, Reuters reported.
Kerry urged the North to freeze its nuclear program and return to the negotiating table.
“Serious negotiation about the future” could occur if Pyongyang does not “engage in any more provocative actions”, Kerry told his Japanese and South Korean counterparts.
Kerry said the USA remained deeply committed to its mutual defense obligations with Japan and South Korea and would not shirk in “rolling back the provocative, reckless behavior of” North Korea.
Advertisement
China, the North’s last-remaining major ally, has been reluctant to use its influence over Pyongyang for fear that pushing the regime too hard could result in instability in the North and hurt Chinese national interests.
