Trump administration puts North Korea denuclearization first, signals openness to talks

[Financial News] The Trump administration said North Korea denuclearization remains a core priority in its policy toward Pyongyang, and that it is prepared to engage in negotiations if North Korea comes to the table. It also made clear that for now, it will continue its "peace through strength" approach through sanctions and pressure.
David Wilezol, deputy assistant secretary at the United States Department of State (State Department) for Korea, Japan and Mongolia, said at the Korea-U.S. Strategic Industries and Security Forum in Washington, D.C., on the 18th (local time) that "the North Korea issue is very high on the policy priority list."
He stressed that "as with any administration, discussions on North Korea under the Trump administration are centered on denuclearization."
Wilezol said the international consensus on North Korea denuclearization remains intact, citing the joint fact sheet released after the recent summit between the United States and China, as well as the joint statement from the Group of Seven (G7) summit.
He said, "The fact sheet released after the summit between President Donald Trump and President of China Xi Jinping also included a commitment to North Korea denuclearization," adding, "The same was confirmed in the G7 joint statement."
He added, "The United States is maintaining very close bilateral consultations with South Korea and trilateral cooperation with South Korea and Japan," and said, "Statements issued during those consultations will also reflect a shared commitment to denuclearization."
He left open the possibility of renewed North Korea-U.S. dialogue.
Wilezol said, "We have made it clear that if Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea Kim Jong Un is ready to talk, the Trump administration is also ready to talk."
However, he added, "We do not know whether talks will take place in the near term," and stressed that "until then, the United States will continue its 'peace through strength' policy."
To that end, the United States plans to step up enforcement of sanctions on North Korea while also focusing on cutting off the country's illicit sources of revenue.
He said, "We will work with the international community to respond to North Korea's cyberattacks, the overseas deployment of information technology workers, and cryptocurrency theft," adding, "We will cut off the regime's revenue streams and draw a clear line against behavior that the United States and its allies cannot tolerate."

km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter