S. Korea, U.S. agree to use term 'denuclearization of N. Korea,' not 'of Korean Peninsula'

Seoul and Washington have agreed to consistently use the phrase "denuclearization of North Korea", and not to use the phrase "denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

Our Kim Bo-kyoung tells us more.

Seoul and Washington have agreed to use the term 'denuclearization of North Korea' instead of 'denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula', when addressing the North Korean nuclear issue.

South Korean Ambassador to the U.S., Cho Hyun-dong, made this announcement, during a monthly meeting of South Korean correspondents in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

As Seoul does not have nuclear weapons, the two expressions largely convey the same purpose of dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear program. However, 'denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula' holds the broader meaning of not only ridding North Korea of its nuclear program, but also the possibility of South Korea going nuclear or hosting U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.

To make the meaning clearer, second Trump administration has decided to use the expression 'the denuclearization of North Korea' in a consistent matter.

Following the agreement, Seoul's top envoy to the U.S. added that the term was used in documents issued during high-level meetings, including the U.S.-Japan summit and the trilateral foreign ministers' meeting between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.

Meanwhile, South Korea, the U.S. and Japan raised voices together at a UN conference on disarmament in Geneva, condemning North Korea's military provocations, and calling for its complete denuclearization.

While pointing out that Pyongyang is continuing its reckless provocations in blatant violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions the three countries said the international community is resolute that Pyongyang will never have the status of a nuclear weapon state.

The North Korean representative dismissed the statement, calling it "outdated and meaningless."

Calling 'denuclearization' an absurd fantasy he blamed U.S. and its allies' military actions as main cause of instability on the Peninsula, and said that North Korea's status as a full-fledged nuclear state will remain an undeniable reality.

Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.