[Asia Economy Reporter Inho Yoon] As North Korea has effectively rejected President Yoon Suk-yeol's denuclearization roadmap 'Bold Initiative,' the South Korean and U.S. governments are strengthening their joint response front.
North Korea is countering the heightened level of criticism in the statement by Kim Yo-jong, the younger sister of Kim Jong-un and vice department head of the Workers' Party, who described the Bold Initiative as "the height of foolishness" and said they would "never engage with it."
On the morning of the 19th, Foreign Minister Park Jin spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and expressed regret over North Korea's rejection of South Korea's denuclearization roadmap, the Bold Initiative.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Both ministers expressed regret over the content of the statement released by North Korea's Kim Yo-jong," and added, "While maintaining a firm ROK-U.S. combined defense posture, they agreed to continue unwavering diplomatic efforts in close cooperation with the international community to urge North Korea to halt provocations and return to denuclearization talks."
The ministry also said, "The two ministers shared recent assessments of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and agreed to continue strengthening close ROK-U.S. coordination to deter North Korean provocations and lead to a return to dialogue."
During the call, the two sides held follow-up consultations regarding the Bold Initiative proposed by President Yoon in his Liberation Day speech, and Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the U.S.'s strong support for the Bold Initiative.
Regarding this, State Department spokesperson Ned Price conveyed that Secretary Blinken especially expressed appreciation for President Yoon Suk-yeol's Liberation Day address, which emphasized improving relations with Japan and South Korea's resolute efforts toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
He also evaluated that the ROK-U.S. joint military exercises, which began on the 16th under the new name Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), and the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG), which is set to fully resume in mid-next month, are positive developments.
In diplomatic circles, as the South Korean and U.S. governments consider follow-up measures in response to North Korea's rejection of the Bold Initiative, there are forecasts that North Korea will take a hardline stance.
On the 19th, North Korea expressed its refusal toward President Yoon's denuclearization roadmap, the Bold Initiative.
Kim Yo-jong, who oversees inter-Korean external policy, stated in a commentary released through the Korean Central News Agency that regarding the Bold Initiative announced in President Yoon's August 15 Liberation Day speech, "We do not know what noisy initiative they will come up with next to knock on the door, but we clearly state that we will never engage with it."
Jung Sung-jang, head of the North Korea Research Center at the Sejong Institute, said, "Through Kim Yo-jong's statement, North Korea has officially rejected the Bold Initiative," and added, "North Korea is expected to soon conduct its seventh nuclear test with tactical nuclear weapons that pose a more direct threat to South Korea's security than to the U.S., and then adopt a more coercive stance toward South Korea."
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