Trump: The Goal is Complete Disarmament of North Korea

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stated that in a conversation he had with his Chinese counterpart, it was emphasized that the suspension of North Korean tests in exchange for joint U.S. military exercises is "not acceptable" and that North Korea must be completely disarmed. A new round of joint military exercises between the U.S. and Japan is also set to begin for ten days. On Wednesday, Trump mentioned that during discussions with Xi Jinping, the President of China, they agreed that the concept of "suspension for suspension" with North Korea is unacceptable. Chinese officials have yet to respond to these statements. The proposal for suspending North Korean nuclear and military tests in exchange for halting U.S. and allied military exercises in East Asia has been repeatedly recommended by China and Russia as a "key solution" to reduce the crisis on the Korean Peninsula. This suggestion was also raised during Barack Obama's administration, which the former U.S. president described as lacking seriousness and rejected. Trump also stated, "We (the U.S. and China) have agreed that we cannot accept suspension for suspension, which has been tested before and has failed." The U.S. President added that the main goal is the complete disarmament of North Korea's nuclear arsenal. Trump noted that time is passing and the U.S. has clearly emphasized that "all options are on the table." The latest remarks from Trump come at a time when the latest round of U.S. and Japanese naval exercises is also beginning in the southern waters of Japan. The U.S. Navy stated in a statement that in the ten-day exercises around Okinawa Island - south of the Japanese archipelago - 14,000 U.S. military personnel, the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, destroyers Stethem, Chafee, and Mustin, and other war machines will participate. Three days ago, the Asahi Shimbun reported that shortly after an agreement between Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, and Donald Trump for "maximum pressure" on Pyongyang, for the first time three aircraft carriers and three U.S. destroyers participated together in a large-scale exercise in the Sea of Japan. The crisis on the Korean Peninsula and its surroundings has intensified again following North Korea's long-range missile tests and its sixth nuclear test. The latest tests differ significantly from previous military tests in North Korea as it is reported that long-range missiles capable of reaching U.S. territory were successfully launched during them. Meanwhile, the sixth nuclear test in North Korea was also stronger than all previous explosions. North Korea claims that the purpose of the U.S. joint exercises in the region is to practice for an attack and regime change in that country. The United States and its allies have emphasized that these military exercises are conducted to maintain and enhance defensive readiness against potential North Korean attacks. Trump had a two-week trip to East and Southeast Asia, with North Korea being one of the main focuses of the meetings and discussions. "Discussion on Military Options in Seoul" Trump mentioned during a press conference on Wednesday, related to his 13-day trip to Asia, that he visited Seoul and discussed potential military options with senior military officials in South Korea. Trump stated: I have discussed with U.S. and South Korean military commanders about both military options and readiness to respond to provocations and violent actions by North Korea. Senior South Korean officials have expressed concerns about a potential U.S. military action without consulting Seoul, although it has been emphasized that Washington has promised to provide advance notice of any potential military options. Despite this, some experts believe that if a decision is made in Washington regarding a potential attack on North Korea, the U.S. will not seek permission from Seoul. Among these experts, Robert Gallucci, a nuclear negotiator with North Korea in the 1990s, stated during a meeting in Washington on Thursday, "It is understandable that the people and officials of South Korea want to consult on the U.S. decision." However, Mr. Gallucci mentioned that he told Moon Jae-in, the President of South Korea, during a meeting that such a possibility is very low. At the Washington meeting, Cho Myung, the leader of the ruling party in South Korea, was also present, stating that Seoul will not accept war on the Korean Peninsula without South Korea's consent "under any circumstances." Mr. Gallucci indicated that if the U.S. decides to attack, it will likely inform Seoul, but the mutual alliance does not mean that the United States will refrain from defending itself and its interests. South Korea is the only U.S. ally in Asia that shares a land border with North Korea. China and Russia also share borders with North Korea.