Top nuclear envoys of Seoul, Washington, Tokyo meet for trilateral cooperation on N. Korea

성 김 “北, 7차 핵실험 준비 중...한미일 협력해 모든 상황 준비" The top U.S. envoy for North Korea, Sung Kim, said Friday that North Korea does appear to be preparing for a nuclear test,... but the U.S. is also ready to respond to any provocation. He was speaking to reporters at a press briefing ahead of the talks with his Korean and Japanese counterparts on the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. Min Suk-hyen reports. The top nuclear envoys of South Korea, the U.S. and Japan met in Seoul on Friday to discuss the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. The talks come as concerns rise that North Korea could soon conduct its first nuclear test in nearly five years. Speaking to reporters, U.S. Special Representative Sung Kim said Pyeongyang is preparing for a 7th nuclear test... at its Punggye-ri test site, adding that Washington is preparing for all contingencies with its allies. "We are preparing for all contingencies in close coordination with our Japanese and ROK (Republic of Korea) allies. Furthermore, we are prepared to make both short and longer term-adjustments to our military posture as appropriate in responding to any DPRK provocation. And as necessary to strengthen both defense and deterrence to protect our allies in the region." Stressing that Pyeongyang's "unlawful and destabilizing activities" would have consequences, Kim warned the international community will not accept them as normal. The U.S. envoy also reiterated that the only viable path for the regime was diplomacy...and that Washington is committed to seeking dialogue with the North. Attending Friday's press briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Seoul, South Korea's newly appointed nuclear envoy, Kim Gunn highlighted the importance of trilateral cooperation... and said that North's "relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons" will only strengthen their deterrence. "Simply put, the course that Pyeongyang is currently embarking on has only one inevitable destination. Reduced security for North Korea itself. Besides, prolonged isolation will only worsen the already dire economic situation." Japanese envoy Takehiro Funakoshi agreed to work with South Korea and the U.S. closely, vowing to enhance regional deterrence, including trilateral security cooperation. On the COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea, the top envoys shared concerns and called on the regime to accept their offers for humanitarian assistance. Friday's trilateral meeting marks the first of its kind in four months... and the first since South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol took office. Min Suk-hyen, Arirang News. #nuclear #NorthKorea #cooperation 📣 Arirang News(Facebook) :   / arirangtvnews   📣 Arirang News(Twitter) :   / arirangtvnews   📣 News Center(YouTube) :    / newscenter_arirangtv   2022-06-03, 17:00 (KST)