Obama Rejects North Korea's Proposal of 'Testing for Exercises'

The President of the United States, following statements by the North Korean Foreign Minister regarding the cessation of exercises on the Korean Peninsula in exchange for a halt to Pyongyang's nuclear tests, said, "We do not take these words seriously." Ri Su-yong, the North Korean Foreign Minister, stated on April 24, after announcing the news of a new missile test from his country, "If you stop your nuclear war exercises on the Korean Peninsula, we will also stop our nuclear tests." Barack Obama, during a press conference with Angela Merkel in Hanover, Germany, said, "A simple promise to stop tests, until some other time when they feel like conducting similar activities again, is not serious for us." Obama added, "Our emphasis has been; if North Korea shows seriousness about denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, then we will be ready to enter serious negotiations to reduce tensions and regarding our approach to supporting our allies." Ri Su-yong stated on Sunday, "If we continue down this path of conflict, we will head towards catastrophic results. Not just for the two countries (the U.S. and South Korea), but for the entire world." Mr. Ri emphasized the "vital importance" of the U.S. ending its "hostile policy" towards North Korea to prove this, by halting its exercises on the peninsula. According to the President of the United States, these proposals and statements are not things that can be resolved in a simple press conference, overshadowed by a series of provocative behaviors from Pyongyang. He said North Korea should present a "better" proposal. Until then, the United States will continue to ensure the security of its people and allies. The U.S. President emphasized that many of North Korea's military tests are unsuccessful, yet they learn new things each time. Obama warned that not only the U.S. and South Korea but the entire world must take this issue seriously. North Korea conducted a new missile test on April 24, claiming it was carried out from a submarine and at the deepest point of the water. A group of South Korean officials stated that this test was unsuccessful. The next day, on April 25, Kim Jong-un, the leader of that country, called the recent test successful and reiterated that his government is ready to attack South Korea and the U.S. at any time. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have increased following North Korea's fourth nuclear test and the very large military exercises of South Korea and the U.S. in the region. According to a group of South Korean media and analysts, North Korea is likely preparing for a new nuclear test ahead of the Workers' Party Congress meeting.