US to keep seeking diplomatic solution on N. Korean issues: Mattis

Defense Minister Song Young-Moo shakes hands with U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis ahead of their meeting at the Pentagon, Wednesday. / Yonhap

Defense Minister Song meets US defense secretary

By Jun Ji-hye

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said his country will keep seeking a diplomatic solution to resolve the threats from North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, contradicting U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Washington was ready to take diplomacy off the table.

Mattis made the remarks during a meeting with South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo at the Pentagon, Wednesday.

“We’re never out of diplomatic solutions,” Mattis told reporters. “We continue to work together, and the minister (Song) and I share a responsibility to provide for the protection of our nations, our populations and our interests.”

The meeting took place after the Kim Jong-un regime launched what was presumed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) over Japan, Tuesday, which traveled about 2,700 kilometers before landing in the North Pacific Ocean.

The provocation was construed as the North showing off its ability to strike areas around Guam as it previously threatened to do with four Hwasong-12 IRBMs. Guam is located about 3,000 kilometers from Pyongyang.

Following the provocation, President Trump suggested the United States should stop pursuing negotiations with the North.

“The U.S. has been talking to North Korea, and paying them extortion money, for 25 years. Talking is not the answer!” Trump tweeted.

His comments raised speculation that Washington may be moving toward a more hawkish policy rather than seeking dialogue with Pyongyang, but Mattis rejected the idea that Washington would halt its diplomatic efforts.

“The recent United Nations Security Council sanctions and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) communique demonstrate the international community’s resolve against North Korean actions,” Mattis said. “Last evening’s United Nations Security Council action shows the world is united in diplomatic efforts to stop North Korea and its reckless, intolerable behavior.”

Song also agreed to support the ongoing diplomatic efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

“The two defense chiefs stressed that strong, effective and credible military power will support the reliability of diplomatic efforts,” the ministry said.

Song and Mattis also discussed a timeline for Seoul to take back wartime operational control (OPCON) of South Korean forces from the U.S., agreeing to accelerate joint efforts to satisfy conditions for the prompt transfer. They will conduct additional discussion on the issue at the annual defense ministers’ talks, known as the Security Consultative Meeting, scheduled for October in Seoul, the ministry noted.

Other agenda issues included South Korea’s move to amend the two countries’ 2012 revision of missile guidelines. Through the amendment, Seoul is seeking to increase the weight of the warhead for its 800-kilometer range ballistic missile as the 2012 revision does not allow the payload for this to exceed 500 kilograms. The move is to enhance Seoul’s own defense capabilities as President Moon Jae-in pledged to better defend the nation against North Korean threats.

“The two sides agreed to to make progress in consultations to revise the missile guidelines,” the ministry said.

Later in the day, Song met with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster during which time the two also agreed to keep making diplomatic and economic efforts to curb the North’s nuclear and missile ambitions.

“Song and McMaster shared the need to resolve the issue peacefully,” the ministry said, adding that McMaster also reiterated Washington’s security commitment to Seoul.

F-35Bs, B-1Bs sent to S. Korea

Meanwhile, two U.S. B-1B strategic bombers and four F-35B stealth fighters held a live-fire drill along with four South Korean F-15Ks on the last day of the Ulchi Freedom Guardian joint exercise.

The ROK Air Force said the planes dropped MK-84, MK-82 and GBU-32 bombs at a firing range in Taebaek, Gangwon Province.

“The B-1B heavy bombers came from Guam, while the F-35B jets were dispatched from Japan,” the Air Force said.

The joint drill was designed to strike at North Korea’s key military facilities.