North Korea rejects more nuclear talks, demands peace treaty with US

Since this summer, North Korea has heightened military tensions between South and North Korea, while also hinting at the possibility of its conducting nuclear tests. Such a meeting could help improve relations between the two countries.

Yoo pointed out that the first joint statement on North Korea should have included a creative solution to the nuclear issue. China has been particularly sensitive to the possible deployment of THAAD systems on the Korean peninsula.

But Mr Obama dismissed the notion that Ms Park’s meetings with Mr Xi “must cause a problem” for the US.

Chung-in Moon, a political science professor with Yonsei University, has always been a vocal advocate for a peace treaty to be negotiated with North Korea. Obama said the United States was open to negotiations that could erase most of the sanctions on the North. Iran recently reached an agreement with the U.S and Europe to end its nuclear program.

Park did not address the issue of Chinese behavior at the news conference.

During a March speech in Seoul, Mr. Hill said he did not know when or how the demise of the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will come about, but he believed it would ultimately occur, and when it does, “we need to make sure that China, [South Korea] and the USA all understand what we’re going to do”.

White House spokesman JoshEarnest said ” there obviously will be an ongoing discussion about the threat that is posed by North Korea and their ongoing refusal to abide by worldwide standards when it comes to their nuclear program, and their tendency to engage in provocative acts”. Economic ties between the two Asian nations run deep: Bilateral trade was worth $235.3 billion in 2014, or more than twice the value of U.S.-South Korean exchange. Park’s participation at China’s September 3 military parade raised concerns about Beijing’s intentions toward Seoul.

“So there’s no contradiction between the Republic of Korea having good relations with us, being a central part of our alliance and having good relations with China”, Obama surmised before adding that China must also be encouraged to follow worldwide rules.

But it remains to be seen if Park can translate ever-closer relations with China into vital backing from Pyongyang’s biggest benefactor, or overcome skepticism in Washington about whether the initiative can work. The talks, which also involve North Korea, China, Russian Federation and Japan, were last held in December 2008. “I do feel that I can have a bilateral meeting with Abe”, she added.

“Obviously, there is an important economic relationship between our two countries”, Earnest said, and American businesses have “benefited significantly from the successful implementation of the U.S.-Korea trade agreement”.