Pyongyang defies Biden with missiles, Washington low

North Korea tested short-range missiles for the first time since Joe Biden arrived at the White House, but Washington downplayed the contempt as the United States president defined his strategy of dealing with Pyongyang.

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“We know about the two missiles that were fired on Sunday,” a U.S. official told AFP on Tuesday.

Other officials in Biden’s administration have insisted that it is a “short-range” system classified as a “normal northern military operation”.

“North Korea has a provocative menu when it comes to sending messages to US governments – various series of ballistic missiles, mobile and submarine launch pads, nuclear and thermonuclear tests. Experts have rightly noted that what happened this weekend is at the bottom of this spectrum,” he added.

Observers have heeded North Korea’s military warning since the new U.S. president arrived in January.

Unlike most previous shootings, it was not reported by South Korea, Japan or the United States at the time. A relatively moderate response to the joint military maneuvers that Washington and Seoul have just undertaken, many experts predict on Twitter that they are probably cruise missiles.

Open to conversation

The Biden administration explained that it had immediately observed Sunday’s shooting, but was reluctant to give “more publicity” to those who did not consider it a major provocation.

After his predecessor Donald Trump’s attempt for direct diplomacy with North American leader Kim Jong Un, the new U.S. president is working to develop his strategy towards North Korea, which will not allow any progress on the nuclear arsenal of the secluded country.

The process is nearing completion, a U.S. official said Tuesday.

Since February, the new U.S. administration has failed to consult with the North Korean leadership.

U.S. North Korea warned last week that it would not change its stance with the United States until it abandons its “hostile policy” toward Seoul, as trade ministers include foreign and defense officials, Anthony Blinken and Lloyd Austin. Washington to strengthen ties with South Korea against Pyongyang.

Kim Jong Un’s influential sister, Kim Yoo Jong, also issued a warning to the “new American administration” trying to “spread the dry smell” over North Korea.

“If you want to sleep easily for the next four years, it’s best not to let yourself fall asleep,” she says.

Despite these noisy and now military conflicts, the United States assures us that it is still open to dialogue with the North Korean leadership.

But they warn that they have no intention of abandoning joint military maneuvers with the South Koreans, as Donald Trump did.

Next week, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden’s national security adviser, will welcome his South Korean and Japanese counterparts to the White House. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga was the first foreign leader to be personally received by the new president in the United States in April.

Washington’s new strategy may be unveiled soon.