S. Korea agrees on quick talks on buying American military assets

By Lim Chang-won Posted : November 7, 2017, 19:23 Updated : November 7, 2017, 19:23
 

[Yonhap News Photo]


President Moon Jae-in said he agreed to buy an unspecified amount of advanced U.S. military equipment at a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump to bolster South Korea's defense capability in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

At a joint news conference, Moon said he agreed on quick discussions on acquiring advanced American surveillance assets. "We agreed to immediately begin negotiations on South Korea's development and acquisition of the most advanced military surveillance assets."

Yonhap News Agency said the two leaders agreed to discuss Seoul's introduction of nuclear-powered submarines. North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) has stoked a public debate in South Korea on home-made nuclear-powered subs.

Building nuclear subs is not a violation of non-proliferation treaties, but it may send a wrong or conflicting signal to China and Japan.  The United States has never sold spy satellites or nuclear-powered subs to a foreign country.

At the start of an expanded summit, Trump welcomed Seoul's planned purchase of U.S. military equipment, saying it would help narrow his country's trade deficit with South Korea.

Trump said he had learned through his representatives that the "amount of equipment and things you will be ordering from the United States will substantially increase, and therefore bringing the trade deficit down, which is very important to our people."

At a joint news conference, Trump urged the international community, especially China and Russia, to take stronger action against North Korea, describing the nuclear-armed country as "a worldwide threat that requires worldwide action".

"We call on every responsible nation, including China and Russia, to demand the North Korean regime end its nuclear weapons and missile programs."

China, seen as the crucial trading partner and economic lifeline for North Korea, has been under pressure to exercise more of its influence on the defiant regime in Pyongyang. Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of Asian leaders later.

Trump called for action "with urgency and with great determination". "All nations must implement United Nations Security Council resolutions and cease trade and business entirely with North Korea."

"It is unacceptable that nations would help to finance this increasingly dangerous regime," the U.S. president said, adding he has seen "a lot of progress" in a campaign to neutralize North Korean missiles and nuclear weapons.

"I think we're showing great strength," Trump said, referring to the deployment of three American aircraft carriers and a nuclear submarine around the Korean Peninsula.

Trump said Washington should not be prompted to opt for military options against Pyongyang. "With that being said, I really believe it makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and make a deal that's good for the people of North Korea," he added. "I do see certain movement, but let's see what happens."

Xi has been "very helpful", Trump said. "We'll find out how helpful soon," he said, praising China for trying very hard to find a solution. 


 
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