North Korea: Washington and Seoul step up moves to contain Pyongyang – but provide COVID-19 aid | World News
The United States and South Korea have agreed to expand military exercises to counter the threat from North Korea, and asked Pyongyang for help in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.
Speaking during his visit to Seoul, the President of the United States of America Joe Biden expressed concern about North Korea’s growing nuclear capabilities and said he would meet its leader Kim Jong Un if “he’s serious”.
Mr. Biden was in the country for his first diplomatic talks with his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol, who took office 11 days ago.
Dominate the ongoing tense discussions with North Korea and fears it could test-fire a new missile.
In a joint statement, Mr. Biden reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to protecting Korea with nuclear weapons if necessary.
The two sides agreed to consider expanding combined military exercises, which have been scaled back in recent years in an effort to ease strained relations with North Korea.
North Korea dominated the negotiations between Mr Biden and South Korea’s Yoon Suk Yeol. Photo: AP
The prospect of larger military exercises among the allies risks an angry North Korean response.
Pyongyang has defended its development of nuclear weapons and missiles based on what it sees as a US threat and has long described the drills as rehearsals for counter-aggression, although the US and North Korea have long since described the drills as counter-aggression drills. Korea still maintains them on the defensive.
The US also promised to deploy “strategic assets”, if needed, which often include long-range bombers, submarines or aircraft carriers.
Both leaders insist they are open to diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.
US President Says He Will Meet Kim Jong Un If ‘He’s Serious’
“As for whether I’ll meet the North Korean leader, that depends on whether he’s sincere and whether he’s serious,” Biden said.
He also revealed that Washington had offered COVID-19 vaccines for China and North Korea, is address its first acknowledged outbreak.
“We have no response,” Biden said.
Seoul has also offered support to the North, which has so far been ignored.
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Kim waves a cigarette during a COVID meeting
While North Korea reported more than 200,000 new patients with “fever” for the fifth day in a row on Saturday, the country has few vaccines or modern treatments for the pandemic.
Don’t like the suggestions of Coronavirus support has dampened hopes that such cooperation could help defuse nuclear tensions or even lead to negotiations.
Star to the present this year North Korea Tested Missile 16 separate times, including in March, when an intercontinental ballistic missile was first launched since 2017 has demonstrated its potential range to include the entire mainland of the United States.
The Biden administration has called on China to limit Pyongyang’s participation in any further testing.
