By Chung Min-uck
James Clapper, director of the U.S. National Intelligence, held closed-door talks with officials here on security issues Wednesday, focusing on North Korea's nuclear weapons programs, according to a government source.
The visit by the top U.S. intelligence official is drawing special attention as it comes amid the lingering regional standoff over North Korea's nuclear program, the source said.
According to the source, Clapper held a meeting with Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin to exchange intelligence on the secretive regime's alleged preparations for a nuclear test.
"His visit is mainly to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula," a military source said.
Reportedly, he also visited the Combined Forces Command (CFC) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) for further discussions about the issue.
The director's detailed itinerary was unknown because the trip was a confidential one.
Following the talks, the allies are expected to strengthen their posture regarding the reclusive nation's nuclear program and on ways to deal with any potential provocations.
Some experts say Clapper's visit could be a signal that the North will soon conduct a nuclear test.
In January, the U.S. intelligence chief confirmed that Pyongyang has expanded the size of its uranium enrichment facility at the Yongbyon nuclear complex and restarted a plutonium reactor that was shut down in 2007.
Clapper, who was appointed in 2010, leads the U.S. intelligence community and serves as the principal intelligence advisor to President Barack Obama.
His visit comes after North Korea recently threatened to conduct a "new form" of nuclear test, raising tension on the peninsula.
At that time, the defense ministry said that there had been an increase in suspicious activities in the North's underground nuclear test facilities.
So far, North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests, in 2006, 2009 and 2013, which drew fierce protest from regional players, including the North's only remaining ally, China.
Pyongyang has been increasing regional tensions, threatening a retaliatory war in protest of remarks by the spokesman of the defense ministry that the North should "vanish."
Meanwhile, the six-party talks aimed at persuading North Korea to renounce its nuclear ambitions have been dormant since late 2008.
The negotiations involve the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan.
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| James Clapper |
The visit by the top U.S. intelligence official is drawing special attention as it comes amid the lingering regional standoff over North Korea's nuclear program, the source said.
According to the source, Clapper held a meeting with Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin to exchange intelligence on the secretive regime's alleged preparations for a nuclear test.
"His visit is mainly to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula," a military source said.
Reportedly, he also visited the Combined Forces Command (CFC) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) for further discussions about the issue.
The director's detailed itinerary was unknown because the trip was a confidential one.
Following the talks, the allies are expected to strengthen their posture regarding the reclusive nation's nuclear program and on ways to deal with any potential provocations.
Some experts say Clapper's visit could be a signal that the North will soon conduct a nuclear test.
In January, the U.S. intelligence chief confirmed that Pyongyang has expanded the size of its uranium enrichment facility at the Yongbyon nuclear complex and restarted a plutonium reactor that was shut down in 2007.
Clapper, who was appointed in 2010, leads the U.S. intelligence community and serves as the principal intelligence advisor to President Barack Obama.
His visit comes after North Korea recently threatened to conduct a "new form" of nuclear test, raising tension on the peninsula.
At that time, the defense ministry said that there had been an increase in suspicious activities in the North's underground nuclear test facilities.
So far, North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests, in 2006, 2009 and 2013, which drew fierce protest from regional players, including the North's only remaining ally, China.
Pyongyang has been increasing regional tensions, threatening a retaliatory war in protest of remarks by the spokesman of the defense ministry that the North should "vanish."
Meanwhile, the six-party talks aimed at persuading North Korea to renounce its nuclear ambitions have been dormant since late 2008.
The negotiations involve the two Koreas, the U.S., China, Russia and Japan.
