- South Korea's leader had a stark warning for the North
on Monday.
In a wide-ranging interview of Reuters,
President Yoon Suk-yeol said that if Pyongyang went ahead
with a nuclear test, there would be an unprecedented response
from Seoul and its allies.
But he gave no specifics.
YOON SUK-YEOL: [SPEAKING KOREAN]
INTERPRETER: What I can tell you is
that our response would include something that
has not been seen in the past.
It would be extremely unwise for North Korea
to conduct a seventh nuclear test.
- Yoon's comments come as officials from his country
and the US warned that North Korea may be preparing
to resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time
since 2017.
He also urged China as North Korea's closest ally
to do more to influence Pyongyang
and noted how countries in the region,
including Japan, have been pushed to increase
their defense spending.
More US warplanes and ships have also been deployed.
YOON SUK-YEOL: [SPEAKING KOREAN]
INTERPRETER: I believe that China has enough capability
to affect North Korea's decision,
not only in military aspects, but also economically.
However, it is up to China's decision to what extent
it will influence North Korea and how much
it's going to contribute to the peace and stability
of the Korean Peninsula.
- 2022 has been a record year for North Korea's missile
tests, including the launch of an intercontinental ballistic
missile this month, which Tokyo said
landed 130 miles off the coast of Japan.
Such tests have overshadowed multiple gatherings
of international leaders.
Undeterred by the backlash received,
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said this week,
his country intends to have the world's
most powerful nuclear force.
- [SPEAKING KOREAN]