Tension increases on Korean peninsula
(VOVworld)-US President Barak Obama will visit the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas this Sunday before attending the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul. The visit shows the US supports for its close ally in Northeast Asia, yet its result is uncertain in light of the increasing tension on the Korean peninsula over the past few days.
Korean Demilitarized Zone |
US and South Korean leaders know that President Obama’s visit to the DMZ comes at a sensitive time, just a few days after North Korea announced it will launch its Kwangmyongsong 3 satellite in April on the 100th birth anniversary of late President Kim Il Sung. The world is concerned about Pyongyang’s decision once again scuttling six party nuclear talks. North Korea has also in the past few days strongly condemned a joint military exercise by the US and South Korea. Pyongyang described the exercise as a serious provocation that runs counter to the world’s aspiration for stability and peace on the Korean peninsula.
US Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said the DMZ visit is to show support for the more than 28,000 U.S. troops serving in Korea and to underline the U.S. security alliance with South Korea. Mr. Rhodes said the president's message to North Korea is the same as it has been throughout his administration: that by meeting its obligations and denuclearizing Pyongyang can follow a clear path to better relations with the international community. Mr. Obama’s visit to South Korea reflects changes in the US Asian policy. Though North Korea has not yet reacted to the US President’s visit, observers say, the visit will not help efforts to revive the six party talks.
The public expected a breakthrough in relations between North and South Korea after Pyongyang agreed to suspend its long range missile tests and uranium enrichment activities. But more recent developments have restored the gloomy outlook of the nuclear talks on the Korean peninsula.
Hong Van