US: North Korea Can Learn from Iran's Nuclear Agreement

On Tuesday, April 31, US Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that North Korea can learn from the agreement between Iran and global powers to limit its nuclear programs. North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January this year, violating UN Security Council resolutions. Pyongyang, which constantly threatens the US and South Korea, also tested a long-range missile in February, again violating Security Council resolutions. In March, the UN Security Council adopted another resolution, drafted by the US and China, imposing stricter sanctions to limit North Korea's financial resources for its nuclear and missile activities. According to Reuters, Blinken said at a press conference in Seoul, 'The Iranian government made a fundamental decision. It decided to halt or roll back part of its nuclear program and allow international inspectors to conduct inspections. With this decision, the right conditions and timing have been created to explore the possibility of reaching a more comprehensive agreement with Iran.' Under the agreement reached last July between Iran and global powers, in exchange for limiting Tehran's nuclear activities, sanctions imposed by the US, the European Union, and the UN due to its nuclear programs were lifted. After meeting with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Seoul, the US Deputy Secretary of State added, 'We hope that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea will also take inspiration from this example.' He noted that recent progress in US diplomatic relations with Cuba and Myanmar indicates Washington's willingness to open a type of relationship with North Korea. Blinken added, 'If a country, even one with which we have the deepest disagreements, is willing to seriously and genuinely respond to the conditions of the international community, we are also ready to engage in dialogue with it.' The US Deputy Secretary of State also stated on Monday that the country would respond decisively to North Korea's future nuclear tests. A few days ago, North Korea failed to successfully test a new missile that the US considers intercontinental and of medium range. In this context, North Korea launched a 'ballistic missile' towards the sea. The Security Council condemned North Korea's latest missile test. Negotiations among the leaders of the US, South Korea, and Japan regarding North Korea continue. North Korea has claimed to have tested a rocket engine capable of reaching the US mainland. The missile test on Kim's grandfather's birthday was deemed 'unsuccessful.'