Pacific Militarization

The Trump administration is poised to escalate its actions against China by stepping into a sensitive regional issue.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the U.S. was “neither serious nor sincere” in the proposed negotiations.

North Korea has previously demanded the U.S. lift international sanctions and provide security guarantee.

Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have met three times since embarking on their high-stakes nuclear diplomacy.

The last significant contact between the two sides was outside of Stockholm last October.

South Korea issued a joint statement with the United States.

Last week, the North had declared relations with the South as fully ruptured.

Defense Minister Taro Kono told reporters that he decided to “stop the deployment process” of the Aegis Ashore system.

The SASC wants to spend nearly $7 billion over two years to launch a new military effort aimed at deterring China.

North Korea has cut communications in the past and then restored those channels when tensions eased.