N. Korea willing to continue dialogue rather than cause instability in region: Seoul
- 5 years ago
After recent satellite imagery showed increased activities at North Korea's key missile sites, Washington has said it's taking such moves seriously and is keeping a close watch.
But here in Seoul, it's believed that a rocket launch in a few months' time is unlikely.
Oh Jung-hee has more.
Recent movements seen at North Korea's missile sites are raising questions over whether Pyeongyang will launch a rocket in a few months' time, following the breakdown of the Hanoi summit.
While Washington continues to send warnings to the North, Seoul believes North Korea isn't aiming to raise tensions.
U.S.-based thinktank CSIS and North Korea monitoring website 38 North analyzed last week... that recent satellite images show North Korea is restoring structures at its Dongchang-ri missile engine test site.
The regime has used the site in the past for satellite launches with ICBM technology.
CNN and NPR have also reported on increased activities at Saneum-dong, where Pyeongyang previously assembled its ICBMs.
Washington said it's taking these moves "very seriously" and that it's "unblinkingly" keeping an eye on the situation.
The South Korean government also said it's closely watching the moves... but added there's a low possibility of a rocket launch... and that these reports shouldn't lead to an "unnecessary" escalation of tension.
"We are seeing that North Korea is continuously stating its will to maintain dialogue, not cause instability."
An unnamed diplomat based in Beijing also told Japan's Kyodo News Agency... that a missile launch would be a suicide act for Kim Jong-un at this moment.
He said... Pyeongyang wants the sanctions to be lifted as its top priority... and hence, Kim Jong-un would want to continue negotiations with Trump -- he won't go ahead with a missile test which will only lead to tougher sanctions.
Kyodo's source saw the recent missile-related moves as part of Kim Jong-un's efforts to keep Trump's attention.
Meanwhile, North Korea is stressing that it's still up for complete denuclearization.
Following similar reports on Tuesday, the regime issued another report through its propaganda outlet Meari on Wednesday... which said it stands firm in its desire to establish new relations with the U.S., to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula and to move toward completely abandoning its nuclear arsenal.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.
But here in Seoul, it's believed that a rocket launch in a few months' time is unlikely.
Oh Jung-hee has more.
Recent movements seen at North Korea's missile sites are raising questions over whether Pyeongyang will launch a rocket in a few months' time, following the breakdown of the Hanoi summit.
While Washington continues to send warnings to the North, Seoul believes North Korea isn't aiming to raise tensions.
U.S.-based thinktank CSIS and North Korea monitoring website 38 North analyzed last week... that recent satellite images show North Korea is restoring structures at its Dongchang-ri missile engine test site.
The regime has used the site in the past for satellite launches with ICBM technology.
CNN and NPR have also reported on increased activities at Saneum-dong, where Pyeongyang previously assembled its ICBMs.
Washington said it's taking these moves "very seriously" and that it's "unblinkingly" keeping an eye on the situation.
The South Korean government also said it's closely watching the moves... but added there's a low possibility of a rocket launch... and that these reports shouldn't lead to an "unnecessary" escalation of tension.
"We are seeing that North Korea is continuously stating its will to maintain dialogue, not cause instability."
An unnamed diplomat based in Beijing also told Japan's Kyodo News Agency... that a missile launch would be a suicide act for Kim Jong-un at this moment.
He said... Pyeongyang wants the sanctions to be lifted as its top priority... and hence, Kim Jong-un would want to continue negotiations with Trump -- he won't go ahead with a missile test which will only lead to tougher sanctions.
Kyodo's source saw the recent missile-related moves as part of Kim Jong-un's efforts to keep Trump's attention.
Meanwhile, North Korea is stressing that it's still up for complete denuclearization.
Following similar reports on Tuesday, the regime issued another report through its propaganda outlet Meari on Wednesday... which said it stands firm in its desire to establish new relations with the U.S., to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula and to move toward completely abandoning its nuclear arsenal.
Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.