US praises South Korea's bravery, warns North Korea not to seek challenges

(Baonghean) - During his visit to South Korea, US Vice President Mike Pence implicitly warned North Korea not to try to test the determination of billionaire President Donald Trump.

A Trip Full of Hidden Meanings

It is no coincidence that during his stop in South Korea during his Asia tour, Donald Trump's deputy "accidentally" mentioned the US Tomahawk missile strike in Syria not long ago.

In other words, it was Washington officials' way of telling Pyongyang that it had better not try to test Mr. Trump.

In addition to reaffirming Washington's unwavering commitment to its ally Seoul, Mr. Pence added that in order to stop North Korea from continuing to pursue the development of nuclear weapons capable of reaching the US mainland, all feasible options - including military action - are being considered by the world's number one power.

Thus, just one day after Pyongyang's failed missile test, Washington asserted that any further use of nuclear weapons by the Northeast Asian country would receive a proper response.

North Korean soldiers look towards South Korea during Mike Pence's visit to the demilitarized zone at the inter-Korean border. Photo: AFP

Also during his stay in South Korea, Mr. Pence made an unannounced visit to the inter-Korean border area, and made the statement that the "era of strategic patience" with North Korea is over.

The US vice president also urged North Korea's neighbor and close ally China to use its "unparalleled leverage" to pressure Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

It seems that Mr. Trump has run out of patience with this regional hot spot and is waiting for a significant change, which is the prospect that North Korea will give up its pursuit of developing nuclear weapons, as well as the continuous use and testing of ballistic missiles - behavior that the US considers "unacceptable".

And although Trump hopes to gain cooperation from China, the leader also made it clear that whether Beijing joins forces to solve this problem or not does not affect the actions of the US and its allies.

While tensions on the Korean peninsula are "pushing to the peak", Mr. Pence visited US military forces stationed in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the Korean and North Korean border, as a way to strengthen their spirit and will.

Not only that, at the destination of Japan on April 18, the next stop on the 10-day journey around the Asia-Pacific region of the US Vice President, similar assurances were also conveyed to Washington's key ally in the region.

Test for Trump

Returning to North Korea's April 16 missile launch, although unsuccessful, it was still considered a test of Trump's determination, especially in the context after the White House owner warned that he himself did not rule out military action against North Korea, and at the same time mobilized a fleet of warships towards this hot peninsula area.

And recently, McMaster - Trump's National Security Advisor also seemed to affirm the view that the "unprecedented" display of US naval force by sending ships to waters just a few hundred kilometers from North Korea's nuclear test site, was intended to pressure China to take more action to restrain its neighbor.

According to this senior advisor, although Trump is not yet considering a military option, he will continue to work with China to peacefully resolve issues related to North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

“The international community, including the Chinese leadership, has now reached a consensus that the current situation cannot be prolonged,” he said, adding that the US president affirmed that it is unacceptable for the US and its allies and regional partners to be threatened by North Korea’s nuclear weapons.

Submarine-launched missiles during a parade at Kim Il Sung Square in North Korea on April 15. Photo: AP

Worryingly, although the US has made no secret of its tough stance, North Korea observers believe that the country will continue its ballistic missile program, possibly testing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), leading to further escalation of tensions in the region and forcing the US to act.

Daniel Pinkston, a North Korea expert at Troy University in Seoul, said Sunday’s missile test was a “strong signal of defiance,” adding that North Korea has a long-term plan and strategy for developing reliable nuclear weapons and delivery systems.

To do this would require testing, and there is no basis for confidence that North Korea would stop testing before it has high confidence in the accuracy of its nuclear warheads.

The same argument can be applied to missile tests, because without a test launch, the missile development process is not complete!

For its part, the US has insisted it has good intelligence before and after the missile launch last weekend, but has remained vague about what actions it will take in case North Korea continues to test nuclear weapons.

The clearest thing this country has shown is the message Pence delivered in Seoul: “Under President Trump's leadership, America's resolve has never been stronger, our commitment to our historic alliance with the brave Korean people has never been stronger.”

And international public opinion is closely following developments on the Korean Peninsula in the coming days, to see how and to what extent the US will realize its statements.

Phu Binh

(According to Guardian)