US-South Korea on the backdrop of two-plus-two talks, North Korea rejects US offer of discussion

Pyongyang/Seoul/Washington: – North Korea dismissed the US proposal for talks because of the two-plus-two talks between the United States and South Korea. On Thursday, during the meeting between the Defence and Foreign Ministers of the United States and South Korea, it was announced that the main objective of the cooperation would be to make North Korea free of nuclear weapons. North Korean Foreign Minister warned that there does not seem to be a need to respond to these US delaying tactics. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin reached the South Korean capital of Seoul on Wednesday. They held discussions with South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Defence Minister Suh Wook, and senior officials. After the meeting, US Secretary of State Blinken revealed the information regarding the meeting. The US Secretary of State said, ‘Both the United States and South Korea are committed to making North Korea free of nuclear weapons.’ Blinken said that North Korean nuclear weapons pose a threat to the United States and its allies, and efforts will be made to reduce this threat.

At this time, the United States appealed to China to contribute to these efforts. Secretary of State Blinken advised,’ China should exert pressure on North Korea using the special ties shared by both the countries. This will be beneficial even for China.’ A high-level meeting is scheduled to be held between the United States and China in Alaska. Against the background, the advice given by the US Secretary of State becomes significant.

Former US President Donald Trump had taken a major step during his visit to North Korea. But the agreement between the United States and North Korea fizzled out because of the defence cooperation with South Korea and some other issues. China is known to have the biggest influence over North Korea. It is believed that China has supplied the technology and other assistance for the North Korean nuclear weapons. China is maintaining its influence on North Korea with economic aid, the supply of food grains and many other ways.

Currently, the relations between the United States and China are strained. The United States has announced that China is the biggest threat and has indicated aggressive steps in the South China Sea and other issues. Therefore, the US appeal to China for the denuclearisation of North Korea becomes significant.

Meanwhile, North Korea has indicated that it will maintain its adamant stand. North Korea dismissed the US proposal for discussions while US-South Korea talks were going on. North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui replied to the United States, saying, ‘We don’t feel the necessity to respond to these US delaying tactics. We would not come to the negotiation table unless the United States changed its hostile stand against North Korea. We have already clarified this.’ Only two days ago, Kim Yo-jong, North Korean Dictator Kim Jong-un’s sister, had threatened the United States.