Allies seek strongest N. Korea sanctions

By Kim Hyo-jin

South Korea and the United States agreed Tuesday that they will use all possible means, including adopting a new set of international sanctions, to pressure North Korea to abandon its nuclear program.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Kim Hong-kyun, Seoul’s special representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, and Sung Kim, the U.S. special envoy on North Korea’s nuclear issue, here.

“I think it’s clear that the latest nuclear test has strengthened, international resolve to hold the DPRK accountable,” Sung Kim told a joint press conference.

“Our intention is to secure the strongest possible (United Nations Security Council) resolution that includes new sanctions as quickly as possible.”

The U.S. envoy’s visit to Seoul came after the Kim Jong-un regime conducted its fifth nuclear test on Friday, the most powerful yet.

“We will work to incorporate stronger measures in a new resolution including ones to fill loopholes discovered in the process of imposing existing resolutions,” Kim Hong-kyun said.

“At the level of unilateral sanctions, we will implement measures to strengthen sanctions and maximize effects together with allies such as Japan, Australia and the EU.”

Sung Kim reiterated that the U.S.’s security commitment to its allies is “absolute and unshakable” against North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations.

“In the face of this growing threat from North Korea, President Obama has reaffirmed very clearly our unshakable commitment to take necessary measures with our other allies.”

On the argument that South Korea needs to ask the U.S. to deploy tactical nuclear weapons here, the U.S. envoy dismissed the call, saying that the leaders of the two countries as well as experts decided they are not necessary.

The U.S. envoy said that Washington will work with Beijing in effectively deterring the North’s nuclear ambition, noting Resolution 2270 adopted by the UNSC in March in the wake of the North’s fourth nuclear test.

“China is as responsible for U.N Security Council Resolution 2270 as us. They have a stake in trying to make sure other resolutions are implemented fully,” he said. “We look forward to working with Beijing to build on the foundation of 2270 and try and close any loopholes.”

Asked whether the U.S. intends to seek talks with the North, he replied that it is up to Pyongyang to restart stalled negotiations.

“I think it’s a question of North Korea’s intentions and commitment. If the North Koreans are ready to talk to us sincerely about denuclearization, I think we can work with them (through) the six party process,” he said.

The multilateral talks, involving North and South Korea, China, the United States, Japan and Russia, began in 2003, but have been suspended since 2008 when North Korea walked out. Pyongyang earlier said that the talks were “dead,” indicating that it has no intention of returning to them.

Kim said that the six party talks remain a “viable” forum for halting North Korea’s nuclear issue.