Seoul, August 27: The United States has reiterated its goal of achieving complete denuclearization of North Korea, asserting that there has been no change in its policy. This statement comes amid growing speculation about a potential summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
According to the Yonhap News Agency, a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department stated on Wednesday, “The U.S. is committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea.” This response was provided via email in reply to a question from Yonhap regarding whether the Trump administration’s goal remains the denuclearization of North Korea.
Last week, Trump had declined to answer a journalist’s question about whether denuclearization would still be the goal if talks with Kim were to resume. This raised concerns that the U.S. might shift its focus from denuclearization to more limited objectives such as arms control or de-escalation of tensions.
However, the State Department’s statement has dismissed these speculations for now. Earlier on Wednesday, a U.S. official also informed Yonhap that there has been no change in American policy.
Trump is exploring the possibility of meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un this year. However, Pyongyang has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is an unchangeable part of its security and has refused to abandon its nuclear weapons.
Additionally, the recent reduction in the scope of joint military exercises between the U.S. and South Korea has raised questions about whether Washington is softening its stance for negotiations with North Korea. The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated on Tuesday that Seoul and Washington remain committed to the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
In the context of potential Trump-Kim talks, the U.S. statement is considered significant, as Pyongyang continues to assert its nuclear status as permanent, while Washington still bases its official policy on “complete denuclearization.”
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