US worries North Korea could return to nuclear and ICBM tests, Reuters demands interview

By David Brunnstrom and Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is concerned that North Korea’s growing missile test could lead to resumption of nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, a senior U.S. official said Sunday, urging Pyongyang to engage in unconditional direct talks.

North Korea conducted its largest missile test since 2017 on Sunday, launching an alleged medium-range ballistic missile into space.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in said a recent wave of North Korean missile tests was reminiscent of the heightened tension in 2017 when North Korea conducted several nuclear tests and fired its largest missiles.

He said the latest shot had taken North Korea a step further in completely abolishing its self-imposed moratorium, the longest-running intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test since 2017.

A senior Biden administration official told reporters in a statement to Washington that Pyongyang was concerned about the resumption of the ICBM and the resumption of nuclear testing.

“Of course, we’re worried,” he said. “It’s not just what they did yesterday, it’s the fact that it’s coming after a significant number of tests this month. And the year-end testing continues in September, with a variety of different systems.”

“Obviously we don’t want to see any more tests and we have called on the DPRK not to do any more tests,” he said, referring to the initials of his official name in North Korea.

The North Korean test is an unintentional headache for the Biden administration, as it seeks to counter any plans by Russia to invade Ukraine and to deal with relations with China at the worst level in decades.

Under President Joe Biden, Washington has repeatedly sought to negotiate with North Korea, but has ruled it out. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has held three summits with former Biden Donald Trump, but in talks he did not realize what Kim had called for to remove Pyongyang’s sanctions.

The official said North Korea’s latest test was part of an “increasingly unstable” model and violated UN Security Council resolutions and therefore violated international law.

“It requires an answer,” he said. “You will see that we are taking some steps designed to show commitment to our allies … and at the same time we are reiterating our call for diplomacy. We are ready and very serious to try to have discussions that address concerns. Both sides.”

The official did not specify the direction of the response.

Despite asking for an interview, Washington has maintained its sanctions against North Korea and imposed more on them in recent tests and has sought to push for a UN Security Council.

However, China and Russia have delayed the US from accusing five North Koreans of imposing UN sanctions on Washington for acquiring goods for arms programs.

Asked if the United States could get support from China and Russia for the new sanctions, the official replied:

“We believe that they understand their responsibilities as members of the Security Council to ensure compliance with Council resolutions and that the Council is committed to promoting peace and stability in the region.”