A State Department spokesperson on Wednesday highlighted “near consensus” among many countries against North Korea’s provocative actions and for its return to dialogue, after the United States and Australia called for the “complete” denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a joint statement this week.

Matthew Miller, the spokesperson, made the remarks after Washington and Canberra issued the statement following their defense and foreign ministerial meeting in Annapolis, Maryland on Tuesday.

“It is a near consensus that North Korea’s actions are unacceptable, and that they ought to return to diplomacy,” Miller said during a press briefing.

Asked about Washington’s approach to promote the North’s denuclearization in the absence of dialogue with Pyongyang, Miller stressed the importance of cooperation with allies and partners.

“We will approach this by continuing to consult with our allies and partners and continue to make clear that it’s not just the United States that rejects the nuclearization of the
Korean Peninsula, it’s not just the United States that’s calling for a return to diplomacy,” he said.

Miller also commented on a report that North Korea has planted a large number of landmines along the inter-Korean border amid concerns that landmines could be washed away into the South due to torrential rains.

“Obviously, we continue to believe that North Korea should stop these destabilizing actions,” he said.

Source : Yonhap News Agency