Government "Taking a Grave View of the Korean Peninsula Situation... Closely Monitoring North Korea's Movements" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Regarding North Korea's indication on the 19th, through a Politburo meeting, of considering the termination of the 'moratorium' on intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and nuclear tests, our government stated on the 20th, "We are taking the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula very seriously and are closely monitoring a series of North Korean developments."

Choi Young-sam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at the regular briefing that day, "We will continue to uphold the principle of advancing the Korean Peninsula issue through dialogue and diplomacy."

He added, "Based on this principle, we will closely consult with related countries, including the United States, to ensure the situation on the Korean Peninsula is managed stably."

An official from the Ministry of Unification also told reporters on the same day, "We are closely monitoring recent North Korean developments with a sense of tension."

The official said, "While carefully preparing for the possibility of further deterioration, we intend to closely coordinate countermeasures with related countries to manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula stably. Dialogue and diplomacy are the only answers to move toward a peaceful future rather than returning to past situations where tensions escalated and inter-Korean relations worsened."

North Korea declared a moratorium in April 2018 at the Workers' Party plenary meeting, pledging to dismantle nuclear facilities and suspend ICBM and nuclear tests. However, at the Politburo meeting held the day before, it suggested lifting the moratorium by reviewing "a full reconsideration of confidence-building measures and the resumption of suspended activities."

Regarding whether North Korea will actually take actions such as ICBM launches or nuclear tests, the government said, "We will not speculate on North Korea's intentions or next steps," adding, "We are monitoring the current situation with tension and preparing for all possibilities."

This meeting was the first Politburo meeting held this year, convened 50 days after the previous 5th meeting last year. According to the government, based on reports, a total of 38 Politburo meetings have been held since Kim Jong-un assumed power as General Secretary up to this date.