North Korea threatens to restart nuclear program if US does not lift sanctions



[ad_1]


A protester in Seoul wields a banner showing President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a rally against US pressure on Pyongyang on November 3, 2018. (Ahn Young-Joon / AP) [19659002] Simon Denyer

Head of the Tokyo office covering Japan, North Korea and South Korea.

TOKYO – North Korea threatened to resume development of its nuclear weapons program if the United States did not lift the sanctions, highlighting the fact that the US was not able to lift the sanctions. one of the main potential obstacles to Washington's diplomacy with Kim Jong Un.

The Trump administration has insisted that sanctions and other pressures continue to weigh on North Korea until and until It dismantles its nuclear program. Kim's regime, however, has always demanded a gradual process of denuclearization that would include the lifting of US sanctions along the way.

A statement released last Friday by the North Korean Foreign Ministry is the latest indication of negotiations on the Pyongyang nuclear program. have reached a dead end.

The issue of sanctions has also created a gap between Seoul and Washington.

South Korea has endorsed the North's call for sanctions relief and is eager to implement an ambitious program of economic development and cooperation, including the construction of road and rail links across the border. their highly militarized border.

[North Korea appears to raise its demands]

The North Korean Foreign Ministry warned that unless sanctions are lifted and Washington stops behaving "arrogantly", North Korea could reinstate "pyongjin" – its policy of simultaneously develop its nuclear weapons program and seek economic development.

North Korean leader Kim said that the country's nuclear weapons program was sufficiently advanced and that the "pyongjin" policy would be replaced by a single objective of improving the economy. . A step back could reignite tensions with the United States.

However, neither party turned its back on the negotiations.

State Secretary Mike Pompeo told reporters that he would be meeting with his North Korean "counterpart" next week, although he did not specify exactly when, where, and with whom these discussions would take place.

Pompeo met Kim in Pyongyang last month and badured that he had pledged to allow US inspectors in two nuclear test and missile sites to check their dismantling.

Addressing the "Laura Ingraham Show" last week, Pompeo said that a summit between Kim and President Trump could take place early next year and allow for "a breakthrough." substantial in reducing North Korea's nuclear threat. "

"We are always happy that they have not conducted a nuclear test for a very long time and that they have not launched a missile for a very long time," he said. Pompeo said, adding that Kim had made it clear There is still much to be done in the denuclearization, but there is still much to be done.

In an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News on Friday, Pompeo reiterated that there was "a lot of work" to be done, but added, "I am confident that we will keep the economic pressure in place until we reach the end of the day. that President Kim respects the commitment he made to President Trump in June in Singapore. "

This often repeated refrain about pressure is the problem in Pyongyang's eyes. North Korea argues that Trump had promised Kim in June that a new era of relations was beginning.

"Improving relations and sanctions are inconsistent," said the Foreign Ministry. "Friendship" is incompatible with "pressure."

He asked Washington to give up its "foolish dream" that sanctions and pressure would lead to denuclearization. "We can not help but laugh at An idea too stupid, "he said.

[ The two Koreas agree to go ahead with road and rail links despite sanctions.]

The United States United announced A big mistake if it believed that North Korea would accept unilateral disarmament as long as the sanctions remain in force, and argued that the negotiations should be "simultaneous and progressive" and based on "reciprocity and transparency". ;equality".

"If the United States continues to behave arrogantly without showing any change in its position, while failing to properly understand our repeated demand, the DPRK may add something to state policy aimed at Orient all efforts towards economic construction adopted in April. Therefore, the word "pyongjin" can be used. Appear again, "said the statement, using the usual abbreviation of the official name of North Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

" The United States will be able to dodge a pitiful future that could harm "19659024] To learn more:

Pompeo said that Trump, Kim felt that a" real progress "could be achieved at the second summit

." paradise " in North Korea, they are now pursuing the lies

The current coverage of the correspondents of the Post Office worldwide

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and keeping abad of foreign news

[ad_2]
Source link

Tags