North Korea refuses talks with US, citing ‘hostile policies’

North Korea this week denied the idea of ​​dialogue with the United States, accusing Washington of a “full-blown attack” turning the Korean peninsula into a “war zone.”

In a statement posted to state media on Thursday local time, the North Korean Foreign Ministry complained of “reckless military confrontation operations and hostilities by the United States and its dependent forces.”

“The more dangerous the U.S. threat to North Korea becomes, the more powerful the U.S. will backfire in direct proportion,” the statement warned, using an abbreviation for North Korea’s official name.

The statement came a day after the United States and South Korea conducted joint aviation exercises in the Yellow Sea off South Korea’s west coast, which included US B-1B long-range strategic bombers and stealth fighters.

South Korea’s defense ministry said the exercise “shows the United States’ willingness and ability to provide strong and credible extended deterrence against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.”

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who visited Seoul earlier this week, pledged to increase the deployment of US “strategic assets” including long-range bombers, nuclear-capable aircraft and carrier strike groups.

The allies will also soon hold so-called tabletop exercises meant to discuss a hypothetical North Korean use of nuclear weapons, Austin confirmed.

display of military power

The United States and South Korea say the increased military display is in many ways a response to North Korean provocations that have reached new heights.

North Korea fired at least 95 missiles last year, breaking the previous record. Some missiles have triggered air raid and shelter warnings in South Korea and Japan.

In his year-end speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to exponentially increase the production of nuclear warheads.

South Korea does not possess nuclear weapons of its own, instead relying on the US nuclear umbrella. But the U.S., trying to reassure South Korea, is pissing North Korea off.

In a statement on Thursday, North Korea’s foreign ministry condemned the Pentagon’s visit to Seoul, accusing him of “no hesitation in talking about the use of nuclear weapons against North Korea.”

“This is a vivid representation of a dangerous scenario for the United States that would result in turning the Korean Peninsula into a huge war arsenal and a more significant war zone,” the statement said.

‘Not interested’ in dialogue

North Korea has accused the United States of “hostile policies” and vowed to urge swift action against any future U.S. moves.

While expanding its military activities, the United States has repeatedly offered to hold talks on denuclearization with North Korea. We also provide COVID-19 humanitarian assistance.

North Korea has repeatedly rejected the offer, calling it a “shameless” attempt to “buy time”.

“North Korea has no interest in contacting or dialogue with the United States as long as it pursues a hostile policy and a confrontational line,” the foreign ministry said, accusing Washington of trying to force North Korea to unilaterally disarm. bottom.