South Korea has criticized President Trump's comments calling North Korea a “nuclear state,” raising concerns about the relationship between the two countries.
“North Korea's denuclearization remains a consistent principle supported by the international community, including South Korea and the United States,” a South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The country said it could “never recognize North Korea as a nuclear-weapon state.” NBC News reported.
While signing the executive order on Monday, President Trump spoke about his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
“Now he's a nuclear power,” he said. “I think he'll be happy to see me back.”
U.S. officials have refrained from describing North Korea as a nuclear state. That would be a signal that North Korea recognizes its weapons.
South Korea's Defense Ministry said North Korea's denuclearization is essential for lasting peace “not only on the Korean peninsula but the world.”
Trump's retaking of the White House has raised international concerns about his friendships with various leaders, including Kim, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
During the campaign, Trump touted his relationship with Kim, saying the two were very close. The two got off to a rocky start with a “really messy” relationship and threats of nuclear violence.
President Trump said that when he first took office, former President Barack Obama warned that the world's greatest threat was North Korea. President Trump claimed that nuclear war was a possibility, but that his relationship with Kim Jong-un prevented it.
Despite President Trump's renewed emphasis on bilateral relations on Monday, Kim vowed late last year to launch the “toughest” anti-American strategy in years to come.
