US Plans To Resume War Games with South Korea
The lack of progress on North Korean denuclearization has prompted US to resume military drills with South Korea.
At a news conference on Tuesday, U.S secretary of defense, James Mattis said “As you know, we took the step to suspend several of the largest exercises as a good-faith measure coming out of the Singapore summit.” He added “We have no plans at this time to suspend any more exercises.”
This statement comes in the heels of Trump’s abrupt cancellation of the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo’s scheduled trip to Pyongyang.
Prior to this, Kim Jong-un’s senior advisor Kim Yong-chol, sent a letter to the Pompeo which stated that negotiations have stalled:
“The US is still not ready to meet [North Korean] expectations in terms of taking a step forward to sign a peace treaty”.
According to a CNN report, the letter came with a strong warning that negotiations are “again at stake and may fall apart” and if talks break down, Pyongyang could restart “nuclear and missile activities”.
North Korea has been adamant in demanding U.S to declare an end to the Korean War but Trump’s administration remains unyielding because it wants Pyongyang to denuclearize first.
Pyongyang’s state media slammed the United States for “double dealing” and “hatching a criminal plot”.
Trump initially hailed June 12 summit with Kim Jong-un a success but negotiations have reached a deadlock. North Korea wants their demands met first while the Washington pushes Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear arsenal first.
Trump is now pointing fingers at China and claims that North Korea’s biggest trading partner is adversely affecting the progress of denuclearization process. Trump tweeted the following:
“Because of our much tougher trading stance with China, I do not believe they are helping with the process of denuclearization as they once were (despite the UN Sanctions which are in place),”
“Secretary Pompeo looks forward to going to North Korea in the near future, most likely after our Trading relationship with China is resolved. In the meantime I would like to send my warmest regards and respect to Chairman Kim. I look forward to seeing him soon!”
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