The US bipartisan election platform does not mention the goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, South Korea firmly believes

On August 22, South Korean Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho said that the incoming US administration will reaffirm its long-term goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election on November 5.

South Korea believes the US will reaffirm its goal of complete denuclearization of North Korea. (Source: Shutter stock)

Yonhap news agency said Minister Kim Yung-ho made the announcement after both the Democratic and Republican parties in the US removed the goal of denuclearization from their election platforms.

The bipartisan move has raised concerns that Pyongyang could misinterpret this as an opportunity to seek Washington's recognition of North Korea as a de facto nuclear power and shift the focus of negotiations from denuclearization to arms control.

Speaking at a press conference with foreign reporters in Seoul, Mr. Kim said: "No matter which party comes to power, I believe the next administration will reassess its policy toward North Korea from the beginning."

South Korean officials expressed hope that the US would reaffirm its commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and "Seoul will also continue to work in that direction."

Reiterating Seoul's commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Minister Kim stressed the importance of strengthening deterrence against provocations.

In another development related to the Korean Peninsula, recently, US Department of Defense spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder rejected Pyongyang's accusation that the joint exercise "Ulchi Freedom Shield" (UFS) taking place from August 19-29 by the US-South Korean coalition was an invasion rehearsal.

Mr. Ryder emphasized that this exercise has been conducted for a long time and is an opportunity for the two countries' armies to cooperate, improve interoperability and learn methods of military operations in different environments.

In addition, Mr. Ryder also affirmed that the alliance between the US, Japan and South Korea is stronger than ever, despite upcoming changes in the Washington and Tokyo administrations.

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