US envoy to visit South Korea as deadline nears for stalled nuclear talks

US special representative to rth Korea will visit Seoul on December 15 amid Washinton’s warning to Pyongyang against nuclear tests. Stephen Biegun will be on a three-day visit and meet his counterpart Lee Do-hoon, said South Korea’s foreign ministry.

US State Department said that Biegen will be accompanied by Deputy Special Representative for rth Korea Alex Wong and NSC Senior Director for Asian Affairs Allison Hooker on trip. visit becomes crucial as deadline set by rth on revitalising nuclear talks is coming to an end and re has t been any positive response from eir side. Both United States and South Korea have been wary of Pyongyang’s recent nuclear and missile tests. United States had warned rth Korea against it at United Nation Security Council (UNSC) on December 11. 

Read: Meghalaya Guv: Those t Wanting 'divisive Democracy' Shall Go To rth Korea

Warning against nuclear tests

Kelly Craft, US Representative to United Nations, raised concerns about rth’s indication of intercontinental ballistic missile tests which will bring US in its range. Craft said that US has sought to eng in “robust diplomacy with DPRK”, but signs were deeply troubling. “Let me be clear, we have t asked rth Korea to do everything, before we do anything. We are prepared to be flexible, but we cant solve this problem alone,” remarked Ambassador after Council meeting. 

Read: US Warns rth Korea Against ‘ill-advised Behavior’ Ahead Of Deadline

Earlier, South Korea had decided to increase defence budget after rth Korea’s move to develop submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM). On September 30, National Assembly of Korea had adopted a resolution deuncing rth Korea’s nuclear advancement and missile provocations. resolution claimed that rth Korea’s “recent military provocations” were in disregard of international community’s expectations. It also mentioned a series of new short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) launches and development of new SLBMs.

Read: Malaysian Court Approves US Bid To Extradite rth Korean

Read: US Warns rth Korea Against Nuclear Tests, Suggests To Avoid Provocations