N. Korea Slams U.S. for Stepping Up Sanctions Campaign

August 5, 2018

Singapore- North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho denounced the United States on Saturday for stepping up its sanctions campaign against his country even after Pyongyang took steps in line with a joint statement adopted by the two countries' leaders in June.

In a speech at an ASEAN Regional Forum meeting in Singapore, Ri also criticized the United Stated for refusing to declare the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War.

At a press conference prior to the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underscored the need to keep up diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea until its complete and verifiable denuclearization is realized.

During the speech, Ri stressed that his country has taken action in good faith, including a halt of its nuclear and missile testing and the dismantlement of a nuclear test site, and that the international community should respond to the actions.

He expressed Pyongyang's resolve to abide by the joint statement, including a pledge to work toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, while claiming that the only viable way to achieve the goal is to prioritize building mutual trust and go forward with the process in a phased manner.

The Asia-Pacific security forum comprises 27 members, also including Japan and the member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono stressed the need to implement U.N. Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea. Many other countries referred to the importance of North Korea's complete denuclearization and the international community's implementation of the U.N. resolutions.

Meanwhile, a chairman's statement to be issued following the ARF ministerial meeting is expected to mention "concerns expressed by some ministers" about actions that have increased tensions in the South China Sea, where China is pushing ahead with military base development, according to a draft of the statement.

On the issue of Japanese abductees in North Korea, the statement is expected to note that some ministers emphasized "the importance of addressing humanitarian concerns, including the immediate resolution of the abductions issue." Jiji Press