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Before President Joe Biden left South Korea for Japan on Sunday, he sent a brief message to Kim Jong Un, whose nuclear threats have threatened to overshadow the US leader’s first trip to Asia: “Hello there. Period.” When reporters asked if he had anything to say to North Korea’s leader, he gave a brief greeting, emphasizing his administration’s willingness to engage in dialogue with Pyongyang even as they prepare to ramp up joint military exercises with South Korea.
Biden stated that he was “not concerned” about the risks of a new weapons test while he was in the region, despite repeated warnings from US officials, adding, “We are prepared for anything North Korea does.”
He spent two days with South Korea’s newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeol. The two announced on Saturday that, “considering the evolving threat” from Pyongyang, they were considering expanding the “scope and scale” of joint military exercises.

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This year, North Korea has conducted a flurry of sanctions-busting weapons tests, including firing an intercontinental missile at full range for the first time since 2017, with satellite photos indicating a nuclear test is imminent.

Joint exercises had been reduced due to Covid and to allow Biden and Yoon’s predecessors, Donald Trump and Moon Jae-in, to engage in high-profile but ultimately futile diplomacy with North Korea.
In contrast to Moon, Yoon stated that he and Biden discussed “joint drills to prepare for a nuclear attack” and called for more strategic US assets to be deployed in the region.

Any increase in force or expansion of joint exercises would probably enrage Pyongyang, which sees the drills as practice for an invasion.

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A raging Covid-19 outbreak could also disrupt North Korea’s weapons testing schedule.

According to state media, more than 2.6 million cases of “fever” have been noted since the Omicron coronavirus variant was discovered in April.
In contrast to Moon, Yoon stated that he and Biden discussed “joint drills to prepare for a nuclear attack” and called for more strategic US assets to be deployed in the region.

Any increase in force or expansion of joint exercises would probably enrage Pyongyang, which sees the drills as practice for an invasion.

A raging Covid-19 outbreak could also disrupt North Korea’s weapons testing schedule.

According to state media, more than 2.6 million cases of “fever” have been noted since the Omicron coronavirus variant was discovered in April.

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