U.S. prioritizes denuclearization over corresponding measures

The U.S. State Department has been repetitively emphasizing that denuclearization has to come first as North Korea requested that “corresponding measures” be taken in return for the permanent dismantling of its nuclear facilities in the Yongbyon area. It was confirmed by the U.S. department that remarks on a joint inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency were a result of collaborative discussions among the U.S. and the two Koreas, which is thought to be part of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s message that has yet to be disclosed.

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told in a briefing session on Thursday (local time) that not any words can be given regarding the corresponding measures that Kim mentioned unless denuclearization materializes into action, stressing that denuclearization has to have top priority. Asked why a joint inspection by the IAEA was not included in the Pyongyang Joint Declaration of September 2018, she answered that the issue was already discussed by the U.S. and the two Koreas, thus based upon a “shared understanding.”

On the occasion of the upcoming South Korea-U.S. summit talks scheduled next Monday in New York, South Korean President Moon Jae-in is expected to deliver Kim’s message on denuclearization that has not been released, and carry out collaborative works with U.S. President Donald Trump. Following the talks, Moon is scheduled to join the U.N. General Assembly to call for cooperation of the international community to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula while informing world leaders of the achievements of the recent inter-Korean talks.


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