U.S. says dialogue is 'most preferred route' to achieve peninsula denuclearization amid tough N.K. rhetoric

▲ This photo, taken on Oct. 30, 2023, shows Matthew Miller, the State Department's spokesperson, speaking during a press briefing at the department in Washington. (Yonhap)

US-N Korea-dialogue

U.S. says dialogue is 'most preferred route' to achieve peninsula denuclearization amid tough N.K. rhetoric

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 (Yonhap) -- The United States on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to diplomacy with North Korea, casting dialogue as the "most preferred route" to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Matthew Miller, the department's spokesperson, made the remarks as North Korea has ratcheted up tensions by hardening its rhetoric against Seoul and Washington and stressing its focus on war preparation efforts.

"We would still welcome dialogue with North Korea because we think ultimately dialogue would be the most preferred route to achieve the full denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Miller told a press briefing.

"It'll continue to be our policy to pursue it. But as we've said on a number of occasions, we have seen no indication that the North Korean government is willing to engage in it," he added.

During a dayslong plenary session of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for stepped-up war preparation efforts, pointing to "unprecedented" U.S.-led confrontational moves against his country.

Kim also put forward a series of goals for 2024, including launching three additional military spy satellites and beefing up efforts to bolster his country's nuclear arsenal.

In response, the State Department said the U.S. harbors "no hostile intent" toward the North, and that North Korean space rocket launches would violate multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions banning any launch using ballistic missile technology.

The North's push for military reinforcement comes as Seoul's National Intelligence Service raised the possibility of the recalcitrant regime engaging in provocative acts ahead of South Korea's parliamentary elections in April and the U.S. presidential vote in November.

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