U.S. raises pressure on N. Korea ahead of the upcoming summit

U.S. raises pressure on N. Korea ahead of the upcoming summit. May. 08, 2018 07:50. weappon@donga.com,record@donga.com.
North Korea and the United States are escalating a war of words with the Kim-Trump meeting just around the corner. The Trump administration has increased the level of demand, requiring North Korea to completely give up on its short and mid-range missile technology. Against the backdrop, North Korea started reacting with sharp criticism, aimed at defying the sanctions led by the United States and Japan.

According to a report by the Voice of America (VOA) on Sunday, the U.S. State Department said North Korea must suspend launch of satellites as well since it promised to halt intercontinental ballistic missile tests (ICBM). A State Department official reportedly said North Korea’s launching of satellites using ballistic missile technology is also a clear violation of the U.N. Security Council sanctions and demanded that North Korea abandon its nuclear arsenal in a complete, verifiable and irrevocable manner.

The United States is practically demanding that North Korea give up on its right to peacefully explore space. North Korea has been developing ICBM under the guise of satellite development. The United States has made it clear that it will put dismantlement of short and mid-range missiles as well as ICBM on the agenda at the upcoming Kim-Trump summit. Japan has been requesting the White House that dismantlement of North Korea’s short and mid-range ballistic missiles that put Japan within range should be discussed at the planned Kim-Trump summit.

The Moon Jae-in administration, which poses itself as a mediator between North Korea and the United States, is paying a keen attention to the muscle-flexing by the two countries. “It seems the United States is expressing its willingness to obtain commitment from North Korea,” a Cheong Wa Dae official said. “It is not likely to ruin the atmosphere of dialogue.”