U.S. calls on North Korea to stop missile tests, return to talks
- Yacob Reyes, author of Axios Tampa Bay
U.S. special representative for North Korea Sung Kim (right), attends a press conference with Noh Kyu-duk, South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs. Photo: Ahn Young-Joon - Pool/Getty Images
Senior U.S. diplomat Sung Kim called on North Korea to stop missile tests and resume nuclear negotiations Sunday, AP reports.
Driving the news: Kim's remarks come on the heels of the country's submarine-fired missile launch last week, which violated multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions.
- Submarine missile fires are harder to detect and would ultimately provide North Korea with "a secondary, retaliatory attack capability," AP writes.
What he's saying: "We call on the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] to cease these provocations and other destabilizing activities, and instead, engage in dialogue," Kim said, per the AP.
- "We remain ready to meet with the DPRK without preconditions and we have made clear that the United States harbors no hostile intent towards the DPRK."
The backdrop: Earlier this month, North Korea accused the UN Security Council of applying a double standard over the country's missile program.
- The country began resuming its missile tests in September, after a six-month hiatus, according to AP.