U.S. and South Korea Foreign Ministers Discuss China; North Korea Issues New Warning

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin over the results of his recent trip to China. The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated that Mr. Blinken described his discussions with the Chinese side as 'honest' and 'constructive.' According to Reuters, Blinken and Park have decided to continue their communication regarding relations with China and urge Beijing to play a constructive role in stopping provocative actions and the denuclearization of North Korea. During Blinken's visit to China, both sides agreed to set aside their intense competition to avoid conflict, but did not achieve significant progress. North Korea's state media criticized the U.S. Secretary of State for pressuring China to put pressure on Pyongyang and warned that the country's response to any stronger military action from the U.S. on the Korean Peninsula would be 'more aggressive.' The media also criticized the U.S. for sending military services, including a nuclear submarine, to the Korean Peninsula, stating that this action jeopardizes 'peace and security.' Last week, North Korea fired two short-range missiles into its eastern waters less than an hour after warning of its reaction to military exercises by South Korea and the U.S., which had just concluded their fifth round. Since the beginning of 2020, North Korea has launched about 100 missiles. A long-range missile from North Korea, which carried its first spy satellite, fell on June 1 on the western coast of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea, acknowledging the failure of its satellite launch, promised to attempt another launch. The country is under international sanctions due to its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Blinken in Beijing; the U.S. and China agreed to stabilize bilateral relations. Blinken in China: We will always defend the interests and values of the American people. Blinken entered Beijing amid tensions over Taiwan and Chinese reconnaissance balloons. South Korea: Blinken supports 'full' relations between Seoul and Beijing.