State Dept. reaffirms US commitment to 'complete' denuclearization of N. Korea
Summary
The State Department on Wednesday reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea in Washington amid questions over Donald Trump’s approach to renewed summitry with Kim Jong-un. A spokesperson said the United States remains committed to complete denuclearization, and a U.S. official separately said there has been no change in policy. Seoul’s foreign ministry also said Tuesday that South Korea and the U.S. have consistently maintained the goal of peace, stability and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
Key Facts
- Trump declined last week to answer a reporter’s question about whether his goal in reengaging with Kim is denuclearization.
- The North Korean regime has insisted on its nuclear status as irreversible and vowed not to bargain away its nuclear program.
- Trump’s apparent conciliatory gesture toward the North included the recent scaling back of a joint military exercise with South Korea.
- Foreign ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon said South Korea and the U.S. have consistently maintained the goal of peace, stability and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he hosts a back-to-school-themed event to highlight his administration's education policies, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., Aug. 24. Reuters-Yonhap
WASHINGTON — The Department of State on Wednesday reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of North Korea, amid growing questions if U.S. President Donald Trump would pursue denuclearization should summitry with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un resume.
A spokesperson at the department reaffirmed the commitment in response to Yonhap News Agency's request to confirm that the Trump administration's goal remains the denuclearization of the North.
Last week, Trump declined to answer a reporter's question about whether his goal in reengaging with Kim is denuclearization, raising concerns that Washington could shift its policy focus toward goals short of denuclearization, such as arms control or tension reduction.
"The United States remains committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea," the spokesperson said in an email.
Earlier in the day, a U.S. official told Yonhap News Agency that there has been "no change in U.S. policy," in response to a question about the U.S.' commitment to the denuclearization goal.
As Trump seeks a meeting with the North Korean leader later this year, questions have arisen over whether he would lower the bar for diplomacy with Pyongyang at a time when the recalcitrant regime has insisted on its nuclear status as "irreversible," and vowed not to bargain away its nuclear program.
Trump's apparent conciliatory gesture toward the North, including the recent scaling back of a joint military exercise with South Korea, has further raised questions over whether his administration would focus less on or shift away from denuclearization.
Amid such questions, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday that the two allies remain committed to the denuclearization goal.
"South Korea and the U.S. have consistently maintained the goal of peace, stability and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula," ministry spokesperson Park Doo-soon told a regular press briefing.
Explore More
- Q.
- Q.
- Q.