Frank Smith
Press TV, Seoul
US national security adviser John Bolton has called on North Korea to enter into renewed dialogue on denuclearization following Pyongyang’s second ballistic missile launch within a week.
North Korea says its second ballistic missile test in a week show[s] its new capabilities. South Korean and US military analysts agree.
The test come[s] as Washington and Pyongyang are expected to enter talks on denuclearization and sanctions relief laid out at the recent meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump at the DMZ.
Since late 2017, North Korea has honored its moratorium on nuclear tests and long-range missile tests as it pursues negotiations toward a stable peace and relief from US-led sanctions. Washington in return has done little to encourage Pyongyang to take further steps, calling for North Korea to first implement final, fully verifiable denuclearization.
The US continues to see the issue exclusively regarding denuclearization, without admitting the need for incentives and sanctions relief for North Korea.
Meanwhile, the US plans joint military drills later this month with South Korea, which are viewed by Pyongyang as a rehearsal for invasion.
The controversy has not escaped the attention of the United Nations.
Support for existing US-led UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea have been eroding, with council members China and Russia calling for some relief as North Korea takes steps on denuclearization.