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US, South Korea and Japan push for North Korea denuclearisation as talk rumors grow
Reported by Pooja Nair (Section Editor) · The Hindu - International ·
Reported by one source so far
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsThe United States, South Korea and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea on Saturday, October 31, 2026. This announcement comes as Pyongyang continues to reject disarmament ahead of possible talks with Washington.
Talks And Meetings
Talks between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, and Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi took place on Friday, October 30, on the sidelines of a Group of 20 meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The U.S. State Department said the three officials pledged full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, which include a ban on supporting revenue for North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Meanwhile, speculation is growing over a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at next month's APEC summit in China, fueled by Mr. Trump's repeated overtures for nuclear talks.
Background And Regional Stances
North Korea has enshrined its status as a nuclear-armed state in law with backing from Russia and China, despite long-running UN sanctions. Mr. Trump previously conceded that North Korea was sort of a nuclear power and stated he was 100% open to a meeting. South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung suggested in September that Washington seek a freeze of the North's nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief, though critics warn this risks accepting a nuclear-armed North Korea. Analysts and South Korea's spy agency note that Mr. Kim may have conveyed Pyongyang's position during a recent visit to the Chinese border city of Dandong to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Context
International efforts to curb North Korea's nuclear program have spanned decades through various diplomatic channels and strict United Nations economic sanctions. Tensions regularly fluctuate depending on joint military exercises, leadership changes, and shifting diplomatic overtures between Washington, Seoul, and Pyongyang.
ExplainerWhy this matters
What Happened
The United States, South Korea, and Japan have restated their demand for North Korea to completely give up its nuclear weapons, even as Pyongyang rejects disarmament and pushes forward with its atomic programme.
Why It Matters
The push for denuclearisation highlights a deep split in how nations deal with North Korea's growing nuclear capabilities. While Washington and its allies demand total disarmament under UN sanctions, North Korea has legally locked in its status as a nuclear state, and allies like China and Russia offer differing levels of diplomatic and economic backing. Proposed compromises, such as freezing the nuclear program for sanctions relief, spark fierce debate over whether the international community is accidentally accepting a nuclear-armed North Korea.
What Happens Next
Observers are watching closely to see if a high-level meeting will take place between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the upcoming APEC summit in China, which could set the tone for future diplomatic engagement or further standoff.
