Separately, the President congratulated Prime Minister Abe on the recent agreement between Japan and the ROK to resolve the longstanding “comfort women” issue, and commended two of our most important allies for having the courage and vision to forge a lasting settlement to this hard issue.
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Deputy defence ministers of South Korea, the United States and Japan on Friday held a video teleconference to share information on North Korea’s nuclear test.
“China had a particular approach that it wanted to make, and we agreed and respected to give them space to be able to implement that”, Mr. Kerry said.
The underground explosion angered China, which was not given prior notice although it is North Korea’s main ally, pointing to a strain in their ties.
Kerry did not elaborate on what the United States government wants China to do next.
Park spoke with US President Barack Obama yesterday morning, with both leaders insisting that the test merited the “most powerful and comprehensive sanctions”, her presidential office said in a statement.
North Korea’s claimed successful test of a hydrogen bomb earlier this week has caused heightened tensions between the two countries. However, the call had been delayed due to China’s “internal scheduling”, it said, citing an unnamed official.
In response to North Korea’s claim it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, South Korea is resuming its propaganda broadcasts at the border.
“There have been no discussions or consultations with the South Koreans” about the deployment of anti-ballistic missile capability”, said White House press secretary Josh Earnest. The park’s operation won’t likely be affected much as the restriction will apply to clients, potential buyers and service providers from South Korea, rather than managers who commute to work with North Korean laborers.
On Wednesday, the White House expressed doubt over Pyongyang’s claims, citing inconsistency between the data obtained and North Korea’s allegations.
Kaesong, where 124 South Korean firms operate and employ around 54,000 North Korean workers, serves as an important source of income for Pyongyang’s stagnant economy, while also offering cheap labor to businesses from the south.
The UN Security Council agreed yesterday to roll out new measures to punish the North and vowed to begin work on a new UN draft resolution that would contain “further significant measures”.
The Global Times, an influential tabloid published by China’s ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, said in an editorial it was unfair to expect China alone to bring about change in Pyongyang. The B-52 is capable of striking North Korea commander hideouts with nuclear missiles.
The broadcasts are a low-tech response to Kim’s saber-rattling, compared with options like the tightening of sanctions on the isolated regime, South Korea developing its own missile defense system or potentially a beefing up of the US military presence south of the border.
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US officials said the administration at all levels is stressing to China that it should be very concerned that North Korea did not warn China about the test ahead of time, thus illustrating the danger of the regime’s unpredictability. It would also penalize those involved in business providing North Korea with hard currency. Cho said the military was maintaining readiness against Pyongyang’s provocations, adding it would respond to such events firmly. Such flights were sent up after North Korea’s third nuclear test, in 2013.
