Seoul: South Korea and the United States will jointly prepare for possible provocations by North Korea following the execution of Jang Song-Thaek, the uncle of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
South Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kyou Hyun said he and Deputy US Secretary of State William Burns agreed to further solidify their countries combined defence posture on Tuesday during talks in Washington, according to the Korean (Kbs World) website.
Kim also said the North could become unstable internally and carry out provocations.
The two officials also discussed boosting cooperation with China to prevent the escalation of instability on the Korean Peninsula.
They also coordinated views on recent developments in Northeast Asia, including China’s newly claimed air defence zone.
After a purge in Pyongyang sparked fears of aggression, a South Korean minister yesterday said North Korea does not appear close to conducting a nuclear or missile test despite its continued preparations.
“Preparations have been made continuously... but I don’t think a nuclear test or long-range missile launch is imminent,” Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl Jae told a parliamentary committee.
The minister also said no abnormal North Korean troop movements had been detected.
But he also called for a continued watch for possible provocations.
North Korea has carried out nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and in February this year, triggering virtually universal criticism from major countries and tight sanctions.
But the reclusive regime has vowed to strengthen its nuclear weapons programme, describing it as a deterrent to a hostile United States.
US researchers have observed work at the ageing plutonium reactor at Yongbyon, which would allow the North to expand its programme.
Agencies
