South Korea and U.S. Decide Not to Approve North’s Nuclear Weapons Declaration

It was reported on February 14 that South Korea and the U.S. will not approve the North’s declaration that it possesses nuclear weapons, and that they will counter that with “ignoring strategy."

A core member of the Korean government said that day, “Ban Ki-moon, the minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who is currently visiting the U.S., told Bush administration officials including Vice President Dick Cheney that it would only boost Pyongyang’s negotiating position to actually approve the verbal declaration that it possesses nuclear weapons, and the officials reportedly shared the same understanding.”

The official added, “The two counties reportedly established a principle of a composed response, as the North’s nuclear declaration is a “new situation,” but not a “serious crisis”.”

Foreign Minister Ban and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had a meeting in Washington in the morning of February 14 (early morning of February 15, Korea time) and mainly discussed how to bring North Korea back to the six-party talks. Meanwhile, it was reported on February 14 that the Ministry of National Defense officially proposed a third round of inter-Korean military talks to Pyongyang shortly after the Communist state’s nuclear statement.

A source in the military said that day, “We recently made an official request to the North to hold a third round of general-level military talks soon in order to discuss military pending issues between the two Koreas and ways to ease tensions,” adding, “We are currently waiting for Pyongyang’s answer and we believe that it is too premature to publicize the specific agenda for the talks.”

The Ministry of National Defense reportedly proposed the talks according to NTSC’s guideline.