Global Geopolitical Series: North Korean weapons aimed at U.S. not South Korea, China, or Russia says envoy

North Korean delegations met with their Southern counterpart on the South Korean side of the demilitarized zone, which has divided the two Koreas since 1953, after a prolonged period of tension on the Korean peninsula over the North's missile and nuclear programs. North Korea ramped up its missile launches last year and also conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, resulting in stronger international sanctions. Tuesday's talks, the first since December 2015, were held to resolve problems, revive military consultations, and avert accidental conflict.

In a joint statement after the 11-hour talks, the North pledged to send a large delegation to next month's Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in the South but made a 'strong complaint' after Seoul proposed talks to denuclearize the Korean peninsula. South Korea asked its neighbor to halt hostile acts that stoke tension on the peninsula, and in return, the North agreed that peace should be guaranteed in the region, the South's unification ministry said in a separate statement. While both sides hailed the talks, North Korean delegations refused to talk weapons, especially the nuclear one with South Korea and rejected any negotiations over denuclearization.

Another reason cited by North Korean delegations for not talking weapons with South Korea since they are not aimed at their Southern brethren. North Korean head of the delegations Ri Son Gwon said, “North Korea's weapons are only aimed at the United States, not our brethren, China or Russia".

Despite the North’s comments, the United States hailed the talks and called it a major breakthrough. The State Department further added that the United States would engage in future talks at the appropriate time.