Our top story this afternoon...
The United States and North Korea have gone
toe-to-toe over the nuclear crisis on the
Korean Peninsula.
Washington says the North has to cut out its
provocations,... but Pyongyang fired back...
accusing the United States... of being the
one...
that's raising tensions.
Park Ji-won reports.
At a UN Security Council meeting on Friday,...
specially convened to discuss North Korea's
nuclear and ballistic missile programs,...
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said
a sustained cessation of North Korea's threatening
behavior was needed before dialogue can start.
"The United States will use all necessary
measure to defend itself against North Korean
aggression.
But our hope remains that diplomacy will produce
a resolution.
(...) A sustained cessation of North Korea's
threatening behavior must occur before talks
can begin.
North Korea must earn its way back to the
table."
Tillerson added until North Korea's denuclearization
is achieved, pressure will continue,... although
channels of communications will be kept open.
South Korea said it will never recognize North
Korea as nuclear state, adding that dialogue
aimed at denuclearization is the only possible
way forward.
"We should not be coerced by North Korea's
continuing provocations but rather uphold
our principles while formally responding to
its reckless behaviors."
However, North Korea did not back down, and
blamed the U.S. for the current situation.
"Our procession of nuclear weapons was an
individual self-defensive measure of defend
our sovereignty and our right of resistance
and development from the U.S. nuclear threat
and the blackmail.
And if anyone is to blame for it, it is the
U.S. who is the one who must be held accountable."
The U.S. also called on China and Russia to
put more pressure on Pyongyang,... and while
the two countries support the denuclearization
of the Korean peninsula,... they stressed
a more cautious and peaceful approach to resolve
the threat.
Meanwhile, the UN Secretary General emphasized
the importance of reestablishing communication
channels between two Koreas.
"It is time to re-establish and strengthen
communication channels including inter-Korean
and military to military channels."
The UN chief added that it's paramount to
reduce the possibility of any misunderstandings
and miscalculations on the Korean peninsula.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.
