The U.S. special envoy for North Korea said Monday that Washington and Seoul agreed on the need for a strong response to Pyongyang’s recent spate of missile tests, though they remain open to dialogue with the country.
Sung Kim flew to South Korea on for talks two days after North Korea conducted a new type of missile test in its 13th round of weapons firing this year. Experts say North Korea wants to advance its weapons arsenal and wrest concessions like sanctions relief from its rivals.
Weapons tested include nuclear-capable missiles targeting both the U.S. mainland and its allies such as South Korea and Japan. There are concerns that North Korea may conduct a nuclear test soon to intensify its pressure campaign.
“We agreed on the need for a strong response to the destabilizing behavior we have seen from” North Korea, Kim told reporters after a meeting with his South Korean counterpart. “(We) also agreed on the need to maintain the strongest possible joint deterrent capability on the peninsula.”
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