Oct. 30 (UPI) — Tensions could rise again on the Korean peninsula if North Korea decides to test a weapon during U.S. President Donald Trump‘s upcoming visit to the peninsula.
A reporter for McClatchy News told MSNBC on Sunday experts are saying there “might be a missile test by North Korea while President Trump is traveling.”
“That’s going to put him on the spot while he’s in China or South Korea,” said Anita Kumar.
The analysis comes days after a senior North Korean diplomat told CNN Pyongyang’s warning of pending nuclear tests should be taken “literally.”
“The foreign minister is very well aware of the intentions of our supreme leader, so I think you should take his words literally,” Ri Yong Pil said.
In South Korea, Trump is expected to lift a warhead weight limit on South Korean missiles so Seoul can begin developing new strategies to better defend itself in the wake of North Korea’s sixth nuclear test, Seoul Daily reported Monday.
Trump may also raise the issue of military cost sharing with South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
Trump had said in the course of his presidential campaign Seoul should pay more for the cost of stationing U.S. troops on the peninsula.
The United States and South Korea agreed Saturday during the annual U.S.-South Korea Security Consultative Meeting to remove the warhead weight limit at the earliest opportunity, according to Seoul Daily.
A joint statement following the meeting also says the two sides are making efforts to transfer wartime operational control, or OPCON, to Seoul.
Moon Sung-mook of the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy’s unification strategy center told Seoul Daily it is likely Trump will be committed to pushing for a “turning point” on the North Korea nuclear crisis during his summit with Moon Jae-in.
“He is likely to make the point for North Korea denuclearization as a condition for talks,” Moon Sung-mook said. “[Trump] is likely to emphasize the preparedness of the U.S.-South Korea alliance for all scenarios.”
