The U.S. and South Korea called for “delaying” North Korea’s nuclear development but made no mention of seeking Pyongyang’s denuclearization in a joint statement on Wednesday, a move that experts said marks a significant shift in the allies’ policy messaging.
The omission of references to denuclearization came in a joint communique by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and ROK Minister of Defense Kim Yong-hyun, following their 56th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Washington.
The U.S. and South Korea called for “delaying” North Korea’s nuclear development but made no mention of seeking Pyongyang’s denuclearization in a joint statement on Wednesday, a move that experts said marks a significant shift in the allies’ policy messaging.
The omission of references to denuclearization came in a joint communique by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and ROK Minister of Defense Kim Yong-hyun, following their 56th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) in Washington.
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