SEOUL, May 21,2022:President Joe Biden and his new South Korean counterpart will search for ways on Saturday to break a diplomatic stalemate with North Korea, as they worry Kim Jong-un could lash out with new nuclear tests.
Biden and Yoon Suk-yeol will meet in Seoul for their first diplomatic engagement since the South Korean president’s inauguration 11 days ago.
The friendly encounter between allies is clouded by US intelligence showing North Korean leader Kim is prepared to launch nuclear or missile tests.
A senior Biden administration official told reporters on Saturday that the two leaders will discuss nuclear cooperation and that Washington remains ready for diplomacy with North Korea.
But it was unclear how Biden and Yoon would jumpstart talks with the North Koreans, who have rebuffed Washington’s efforts at engagement since Biden took office last year.
Yoon has signalled a tougher line on North Korea than his predecessor and is expected to ask for Biden’s help.
Yoon has warned of a preemptive strike if there is a sign of an imminent attack and vowed to strengthen the South’s deterrent capability.
