Washington. January 31. INTERFAX - The United States has appealed to North Korea to start direct talks without preconditions on its nuclear and missile programs, a senior representative of the American administration told reporters on condition of anonymity.
"We believe that it is absolutely appropriate and absolutely right to start serious discussions," the media quoted the official as saying.
The proposal followed the DPRK's launch of a medium-range ballistic missile on Sunday. This launch was the seventh conducted by the DPRK in 2022. Pyongyang confirmed the launch, noting that during the missile test, "the accuracy, safety and efficiency of the manufactured Hwasong 12 type weapon system were confirmed."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, at a meeting of the National Security Council convened on his initiative the day before, said that North Korea was "closer to lifting the moratorium" on missile and nuclear tests, which North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pledged to abandon in 2018 at the first meeting with US President Donald Trump.
An official in the administration of President Joe Biden said that "of course, we are concerned" that Pyongyang may resume long-range tests and end a voluntary moratorium on nuclear tests.
"This requires an answer," he said. "You will see some of the steps we will take to demonstrate our commitment to our allies."
