<Anchor> The
US State Department immediately welcomed the restoration of the inter-Korean communication line. Defense Secretary Austin also reiterated his openness to dialogue with North Korea.
Next is Correspondent Kim Soo-hyung from Washington.
<Reporter> The
U.S. State Department sent a welcome statement in the name of a spokesperson to a question asking for a position on the restoration of the broken inter-Korean communication line.
The United States supports dialogue and engagement between the two Koreas and welcomes the announcement of the restoration of communication lines.
"These measures are positive," he added, adding that diplomacy and dialogue are essential for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who visited Singapore yesterday (27th) when the communication line was opened, repeatedly emphasized that the US is open to dialogue with North Korea.
[Austin/US Secretary of Defense: Regarding North Korea, we are open to dialogue. We are also focused on our commitment and responsibility to help defend the Republic of Korea.] He
also re-emphasized the importance of diplomatic solutions.
[Austin/US Secretary of Defense: We are taking a coordinated and pragmatic approach that leaves the door for diplomacy open to North Korea.]
Secretary Austin also reiterated the need to implement UN-level sanctions against North Korea, and the US military is trying to deter North Korea's provocative actions. It was emphasized that we remain prepared.
As the inter-Korean communication channel is restored after 13 months, attention is being paid to whether the North Korea-U.S. dialogue, which has not even started properly since the Biden administration took office, will be able to prepare a turning point.