[앵커]
The US White House has analyzed that North Korea continues to advance its nuclear and missile programs in connection with yesterday’s North Korean missile launch, which is believed to be an ICBM.
The White House has expressed its intention to further strengthen military cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan, considering that North Korea could conduct a nuclear test at any time.
Contact Washington to find out more. Correspondent Joon-gi Kwon!
Yesterday there was a White House briefing on the North Korean missile launch, right? Do you see that North Korea’s missile technology continues to develop?
[기자]
Yes, said White House National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby, saying North Korea is still learning whether missile launches fail or are partially successful.
It has been assessed that North Korea is developing its nuclear and missile programs through such learning and that this is harming stability not only on the Korean peninsula but also in the region.
Coordinator Kirby said yesterday he does not see the missile itself as a threat to the US homeland.
But don’t get me wrong,” he said. “We are deeply concerned about North Korea’s ballistic missiles, which threaten regional allies and partner countries.”
Listen to this part yourself.
[존 커비 / 백악관 국가안전보장회의 전략소통조정관 : 몇 시간 전 미사일 발사 자체는 미국 본토에 대한 위협은 아닌 것으로 보고 있습니다. 하지만 오해 마십시오. 북한의 탄도미사일 프로그램은 우리 동맹과 파트너 국가에 위협이 되고 있어 깊이 우려하고 있습니다.]
Kirby also hinted at the possibility of a nuclear test by North Korea.
He said he would not go into an intelligence assessment of North Korea’s nuclear program at this time, but said he observed that North Korea has conducted nuclear tests in the past and could conduct more nuclear tests at any time.
[앵커]
North Korea is protesting the United States’ strengthening of extended deterrence, but has the White House expressed plans to further strengthen military cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan?
[기자]
Yes, coordinator John Kirby made it clear that North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats are a reason to strengthen US intelligence-gathering capabilities and maintain military readiness.
At the same time, he explained that the reason for conducting military exercises with South Korea and Japan is to respond to the North Korean threat.
In particular, he stressed that he looks forward to further strengthening military cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan to enhance regional defense capabilities.
Let’s listen to the words of the Kirby Coordinator himself.
[존 커비 / 백악관 국가안전보장회의 전략소통조정관 : 우리는 한미일 군사 협력을 더욱 발전시키길 기대하고 있습니다. 계속해서 역내 방위 능력을 향상시킬 필요가 있기 때문입니다.]
When asked why North Korea fired the missile at the time, Kirby explained that the G20 summit and joint ROK-US exercises could not have been to blame, and timing was not important.
More importantly, North Korea is developing its nuclear missile program and continuing its provocations.
He also mentioned a diplomatic solution with North Korea without fail.
He said he was willing to sit face-to-face with North Korea without preconditions and work on negotiations to denuclearize the Korean peninsula despite North Korea’s constant provocations.
When asked if there was any direct communication with North Korea in relation to the North Korean provocation, he said there was no direct communication.
[앵커]
The United States also stressed the need to convene the United Nations Security Council, right?
[기자]
Yes, regarding the convening of the Security Council, a senior official who accompanied Vice President Harris to the APEC summit spoke about it.
Reuters reported that the senior official said the UN Security Council must meet to discuss the North Korean missile launch.
The missile launched this time is a long-range missile that can hit many countries in the world, so the international community must step forward.
At the same time, he stressed that China should also join the ranks of countries that have condemned the North Korean missile launches, and that China should persuade North Korea through diplomatic efforts.
This is YTN Joon-gi Kwon from Washington.
YTN Junki Kwon ([email protected])
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