ROK: We will push for military talks with the DPRK

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Despite the threat of Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to resume its missile and nuclear tests, the Republic of Korea (ROK) Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said Monday that there are no signs of imminent missile launch, adding that it is premature to conclude the recent activities at the DPRK's rocket facilities involved preparation for a missile launch, said Yonhap.

Early in March, activities at DPRK's Tongchang-ri rocket launch site were detected by several American think tanks and ROK officials, suggesting possible preparations for a missile launch. In response, Jeong said it would be hasty to call it missile-related activity.

Meanwhile, the ROK Defense Ministry said on Monday that it will push for military talks with the DPRK on drawing up actual measures for the implementation of the military agreement, said the ministry in a work report to parliament's defense committee.

The military agreement was made during the third inter-Korea summit in Pyongyang last September. Under the agreement, the two sides pledged to stop all hostile acts on land, in water and the air near the military demarcation line (MDL).

The ROK military authorities have already informed the DPRK side of its plan to push for military talks through the military hotline, said Yonhap.

DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. /VCG Photo

On Friday, DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui blamed the U.S. for the breakdown of last month's summit in Hanoi, stating that her country is considering suspending talks with the U.S. and may rethink a ban on missile and nuclear tests unless Washington makes concessions.

China: DPRK issues should be solved through dialogue

Regarding Choe's statement, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said China hopes that the DPRK and the U.S. can continue the dialogue and meet each other halfway.

The DPRK issue is very complex and cannot be solved overnight, said Geng, adding that both parties should accumulate mutual trust and consensus, and create conditions for a political settlement step by step.

Wang Yi says U.S., DPRK should not be 'prisoners of history' after Hanoi summit breakdown

"China will continue to play a constructive role in the political settlement process of the Korean Peninsula issue," Geng stressed.

(With inputs from Reuters, Xinhua News Agency)

(Cover: ROK military officer (L) shakes hands with DPRK military officer (R) upon his arrival after crossing to the DPRK for the high-level military talks during a meeting at the northern side of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, the DPRK, June 14, 2018. /VCG Photo)