N. Korea steps up pressure on US

After beginning missile site dismantlement, NK awaits US action

By Kim Bo-eun

North Korean media is urging the U.S. and South Korea to declare an end to the Korean War that was halted by an armistice, a day after media reports of the North dismantling a missile test site.

“Ending the current abnormal situation of an armistice and establishing a solid system of peace is a historical task we cannot put off,” the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the Central Committee of North Korea's Workers' Party, stated Wednesday.

Pointing out that the matter was agreed upon at the inter-Korean summit at Panmunjeom and the North Korea-U.S. summit in Singapore, the newspaper said “The adoption of a declaration ending the war will be the first step toward easing tension and establishing a solid system of peace on the Korean Peninsula and is an essential requirement to establish trust between North Korea and the U.S.”

The Panmunjeom Declaration reached at the inter-Korean summit April 27 states the Koreas and the U.S. should hold tripartite talks, or the Koreas, the U.S. and China four-party talks with the aim to end the Korean War within the year.

The U.S. has a role in declaring the end of the Korean War because it was one of the signatories of the armistice, along with North Korea and China.

“The U.S. holds the responsibility and duty to declare an end to the war,” the Rodong Sinmun said.

“Regarding ending the war as some kind of gift is senseless.” it added.

The newspaper was referring to the U.S. stance toward ending the 1950-53 Korean War, which is that this cannot be discussed unless the North showed tangible denuclearization steps.

The North also urged the South to make efforts. “South Korea cannot just stand and watch the situation,” the newspaper said.

North Korea has sought to end the war as a means of protecting its regime from hostilities and threats.

Meanwhile, the U.S. welcomed the first signs of North Korea taking action toward denuclearization, with dismantlement activities seen at its Sohae Satellite Launching Station.

“New images show that North Korea has begun the process of dismantling a key missile site and we appreciate that,” U.S. President Donald Trump said at the Veterans of Foreign Wars national convention in Kansas City.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed the need for verification.

“We've been pressing for inspectors on the ground when that engine test facility is dismantled, consistent with Chairman Kim's commitment,” Pompeo said at a news conference in Palo Alto, California.

It is yet to be seen whether the U.S. will seek to end the Korean War soon as a reciprocal act to the dismantlement.

A report by the Hankook Ilbo stated China would be involved in any declaration ending the war, and that relevant states were preparing to make the declaration in August. Cheong Wa Dae said discussions were taking place on the matter.

Another outstanding issue is the repatriation of the remains of U.S. troops that fought in the Korean War. With speculation that North Korea could hand over some on July 27, marking the date the armistice was signed in 1953, the Korean War could be ended sooner than expected. The prevalent view is that a declaration ending the war could be made at the UN General Assembly in September.