U.S. official: “North Korea is ready for its 7th nuclear test… only a political decision remains” :: Sympathetic Media Newsis ::

Alexandra Bell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control

Former Ambassador Harris: “The time for diplomacy with North Korea is over.”

(Washington = Newsis) Correspondent Lee Yun-hee = A U.S. government official said on the 22nd (local time), “The United States assesses that North Korea has prepared a test site for a potential seventh nuclear test and is only waiting for a political decision to proceed.”

Alexandra Bell, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Deterrence, and Stability, said at a seminar on ‘ROK-U.S. Relations Amid Escalating Geopolitical Competition’ held by the Korea Society in New York that day, saying, “Within a month, North Korea has been engaging in reckless and unstable behavior.”

Deputy Assistant Secretary Bell said North Korea’s seventh nuclear test “could seriously escalate tensions in the region and pose a global security risk,” and added, “We will further develop and coordinate our alliance with South Korea to prepare for defense against potential attacks, including the use of nuclear weapons.” “I emphasize that it must be done,” he said.

The South Korean government has also continuously warned that North Korea is likely to conduct its seventh nuclear test to demonstrate its presence during the U.S. regime change period.

Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun said at a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the 30th of last month, “The possibility of (North Korea) provocation to show off its presence before and after the U.S. presidential election is fully open,” adding, “If provocation occurs, it may launch an ICBM or conduct a seventh nuclear test, etc. “This is expected,” he said.

Meanwhile, former U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris, who led the U.S. Embassy in Korea during the Trump administration, said, “Kim Jong-un will never give up his nuclear weapons, and the idea that he can negotiate to give up his nuclear weapons is naive.”

Former Ambassador Harris said, “Kim Jong-un has shown us over and over again who he is, and it would be a shame if we did not believe that,” adding, “I think the time for diplomacy and negotiations with Kim Jong-un is over.”

He continued, “I think it is time to clearly recognize the North Korean threat and arm ourselves,” and added, “It is time to strengthen our military posture and alliance readiness and invest all necessary resources.”

In addition, he said that it is important to give trust to South Korea regarding the ROK-U.S. extended deterrence, adding, “I hope to see a public reaffirmation of the Washington Declaration in its entirety.” It is pointed out that there is a need to reaffirm the extended deterrence pledge between Korea and the United States after the inauguration of the incoming Donald Trump administration.

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