THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: Pompeo says North Korea talks will continue despite missile tests

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday local time that the U.S. still has every intention of negotiating a good resolution with the North, noting that North Korea's recent launch did not cross any international boundaries and will continue negotiations with the reclusive state as well as its peace efforts for denuclearization.

The Secretary of State made clear during several interviews with U.S. media that Washington would keep reaching out for talks with Pyongyang.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Pompeo said that the U.S. is continuing to evaluate the data and that the country still has "every intention of negotiating a good resolution with the North to get them to abandon its nuclear weapons.

He also stated that Washington had "a high confidence" that North Korea did not launch any intermediate range projectiles, adding “they were not long-range missiles or intercontinental missiles.”

He then emphasized that the latest missile launch did not cross any international boundaries presenting any threat to the U.S. or to South Korea or Japan.

Instead, he indicated that he did not believe the tests violated North Korea’s self-imposed moratorium on missile testing.

He said "the moratorium was very focused on intercontinental missile systems, the ones that threaten the United States for sure."

U.S. media said that the U.S. is still eager to continue denuclearization talks with North Korea.



After North Korea launched multiple projectiles on Saturday, South Korea's defense ministry says the projectiles in question are likely be new tactical guided weapons.

Pyongyang's state media has reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was there to oversee the launch.

South Korea's Defense Ministry says North Korea tested a new tactical guided weapon and multiple rocket launchers on Saturday morning.

According to analysis, the multiple rocket launchers have a range of between 70 to 240 kilometers, about 40 kilometers farther than what the Joint Chiefs of Staff initially announced.

The military authority said they are maintaining a strong joint military readiness posture while supporting ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Source: Arirang News