Biden ready to meet Kim without preconditions, Kirby says
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The NSC says President Joe Biden is ready to meet with the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea without any preconditions.
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DPRK leader Kim Jong Un, center, visits storm Khanun-hit area at Anbyon County of Kangwon Province, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, August 14, 2023 (Korean Central News Agency via AP)
US President Joe Biden has reportedly reiterated his willingness to engage in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on matters of security and denuclearization, US National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said Friday.
"They [North Korea] have not responded positively to that offer, but it's still on the table. We are willing to sit down and negotiate without preconditions," Kirby told the Japanese news agency Kyodo.
Moreover, Kirby did not specify when the offer to hold a top-level meeting was made but added that the Biden administration was stepping efforts to reach out to Pyongyang.
This comes amid concerns amid reports of the DPRK's alleged preparation to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile during the US-South Korea-Japan summit, scheduled to take place at Camp David, Kyodo reported, quoting a South Korean lawmaker.
In yet another provocation, leaders from South Korea, the United States, and Japan are planning a trilateral summit in Camp David, the US presidential retreat located about 60 miles from Washington, on Friday. The US and South Korea have been conducting joint military exercises in the Peninsula for decades, but, in recent years, they have increased the scale of their drills, simulating large-scale bombing against the DPRK.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol labeled Japan, the former colonial ruler of South Korea, as a "partner" sharing common values and interests. This move comes as relations between DPRK and South Korea have reached a significant low with diplomatic efforts stalled.
President Yoon has aimed to strengthen ties with Tokyo while simultaneously aligning South Korea more closely with its ally, the United States. This marks a departure from historical grievances stemming from Japan's brutal colonial occupation of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945, which included issues like sexual slavery and forced labor.
During an event commemorating the anniversary of liberation from Japanese rule, Yoon emphasized that Japan and South Korea are now "partners" who share universal values and common interests. He stressed the importance of real-time data sharing about DPRK's nuclear weapons and missiles among Tokyo, Seoul, and Washington. Yoon also highlighted Japan's contribution of seven rear bases to the United Nations Command as a significant deterrent.
In June, leaders of South Korea, Japan, and the United States announced plans to establish a system for real-time information sharing on DPRK's missiles before the end of 2023. They are scheduled to hold a trilateral summit in the United States.
August 15, known as Liberation Day, is a shared public holiday in both DPRK and South Korea.
Kim Jong Un recently called for intensified offensive war preparations and increased missile production citing South Korea's provocations.
In light of the August 15 anniversary, DPRK state media reported an exchange of letters between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin praised the bravery of Red Army soldiers and Korean patriots in liberating Korea from Japanese colonial rule. Kim expressed confidence in strengthening bilateral cooperation with Russia in various fields.
Meanwhile, the DPRK's leader oversaw a military parade showcasing new attack drones and nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles, with the attendance of Russian and Chinese officials signaling potential expanded military cooperation with Pyongyang.
