Xi Jinping Erases North Korea's Denuclearization, While the United States Reaffirms It

 [The Financial News] Shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to North Korea, the United States made clear at both bilateral and multilateral diplomatic forums that it remains committed to North Korea's complete denuclearization. Observers say this was likely a move to counter concerns that Xi's failure to mention denuclearization during the China-North Korea summit amounted to tacit acceptance of North Korea's nuclear status.
According to the U.S. Department of State on the 10th local time, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Defense of Japan held the Extended Deterrence Dialogue (EDD) in Tokyo on the 8th and 9th.
In a statement released after the EDD concluded, the two sides said that "the two delegations discussed China's opaque and rapid buildup of nuclear weapons and rejected Russia's claim that 'North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons is a closed matter.'" They added that "both sides reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearization."
The State Department's statement in particular included language dismissing Russia's position, which effectively recognizes North Korea's nuclear arsenal. That has led to interpretations that Washington was sending a warning in response to closer alignment among North Korea, China, and Russia. By issuing the statement together with Japan, a key regional ally, the United States was effectively throwing down a challenge.
On the 9th in Vienna, Austria, at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting attended by 35 countries, the United States also expressed serious concern over North Korea's ongoing nuclear activities and reiterated its commitment to North Korea's complete denuclearization.
Howard Solomon, acting U.S. representative to the international organizations in Vienna, said that "North Korea continues to pursue weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs" and added that "claims that these programs are a 'closed matter' are unacceptable and undermine the nonproliferation regime."
He added, "We are working closely with South Korea, Japan and others to deter North Korean provocations, and we remain committed to North Korea's complete denuclearization." He also said, "We support the IAEA's efforts to maintain an enhanced state of readiness so that inspections and verification can be carried out in North Korea."
whywani@fnnews.com Hong Chaewan Reporter