South Korea, US agree to cooperate on North Korea

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Aug 2022 10:15

In a meeting between US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her South Korean counterpart, economy and security discussions were brought up - all to counter North Korea.

Crew members stand on the deck of the Nimitz-class USS George Washington during US-South Korean joint military exercises in South Korea's East Sea on Monday, July 26, 2010. (AP)

South Korean National Assembly speaker Kim Jin Pyo said Thursday that during negotiations with Nancy Pelosi, the US House Speaker, both sides agreed to cooperate on the issue of North Korea.

"We have held consultations on the North Korean nuclear issue. Both sides expressed concern over the difficult situation connected with the growing threat from North Korea, and agreed to support the efforts of both governments to achieve significant denuclearization and a peaceful settlement of the problem through international cooperation and diplomatic dialogue based on strong and extended deterrence of North Korea," Kim said at a press conference.

The speakers held negotiations at 11:55 am with leaders of two South Korean parties; the People Power Party as well as the Democratic Party, which has a parliamentary majority.

Regional security, economic cooperation, and climate change were on the talks' agenda in a meeting that lasted longer than 50 minutes.

Later today, Pelosi will be visiting the Panmunjom point on the inter-Korean border and meeting with military personnel there. The visit will mark a visit by the highest-ranking US official to visit the border pint since Donald Trump in 2019.

Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday, brushing aside the Biden administration's shroud warnings that the high-profile visit will risk conflict with China. Beijing, upon Pelosi's arrival, announced military drills in the northern, southwestern and southeastern waters from the coast of Taiwan.

Earlier, China warned that the US will "pay the price" if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan.

"The US side will bear the responsibility and pay the price for undermining China's sovereign security interests," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying stressed on Tuesday at a regular press briefing.

Kim: Washington "demonizing" Pyongyang

By the end of July, DPRK leader Kim Jong-Un, pointed out that Washington continues "dangerous, illegal hostile acts" with South Korea, and seeks to justify its behavior by "demonizing" the country.

He considered that "The duplex act of the United States, which is misleading all the routine actions of our armed forces as 'provocation' and 'threat' while holding large-scale joint military exercises that seriously threaten our security, is literally a robbery."

"That is driving bilateral relations to the point where it is difficult to turn back, into a state of conflict," he added.

White House attempts to downplay effects of Pelosi's trip to Taiwan

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre claimed Wednesday that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan does not change Washington's adopted policy regarding Taiwan.

During a press briefing, Jean-Pierre told reporters that "there's no reason for Beijing to turn this visit, which is consistent with long-standing US policy, into some sort of crisis."

The Press Secretary said, "We have been very clear there's no change in our one-China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979."

Jean-Pierre said US President Joe Biden's relationship with Pelosi is good, and the two are in constant communication, adding that the White House does not specify or decide on Pelosi's travel destinations, but provides her with full support.