State Department responds to Yonhap query; says Washington open to talks without preconditions

US President Donald Trump (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pose for a photo at the second North Korea-US summit held at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February 2019. [Getty Images]
US President Donald Trump (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pose for a photo at the second North Korea-US summit held at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, in February 2019. [Getty Images]

The Trump administration said Wednesday that its policy of pursuing the complete denuclearization of North Korea remains unchanged, following remarks by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un reaffirming his commitment to expanding the country's nuclear arsenal.

A State Department spokesperson told Yonhap News Agency that "the United States maintains its commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea."

Yonhap had asked the US government for its position on statements Kim made on Tuesday regarding the North's nuclear forces.

Earlier, KCNA reported that Kim said Pyongyang had "confirmed the sequence and guarantees for carrying out the vast future plans to exponentially strengthen our state nuclear forces," describing it as "a historic event that set a transformative milestone for advancing nuclear capabilities."

The State Department's response reaffirmed that Washington's longstanding policy of complete denuclearization remains in place even as North Korea accelerates its nuclear weapons development and military buildup.

The spokesperson also said the United States "is open to dialogue with North Korea without preconditions," signaling that Washington believes the North's nuclear issue can be resolved through talks and diplomacy.

Since beginning his second term, Donald Trump has repeatedly signaled his willingness to engage with Kim at any time, often pointing to his personal rapport with the North Korean leader.

After wrapping up summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in mid-May, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on the return flight that he had discussed North Korea with Xi and described his relationship with Kim as "very good."

Trump also suggested, without disclosing specifics on timing or content, that he had been in contact with Kim.


mokiya@heraldcorp.com