Biden arrives in South Korea amid concerns about North Korea nuclear test

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• President Joe Biden arrived in South Korea on Friday despite growing concerns about North Korea’s possible nuclear weapons testing.
• This is Biden’s first trip to Asia since he became president.
• Biden will visit Japan next.

President Joe Biden arrived in South Korea on Friday despite growing concerns about North Korea’s possible nuclear weapons testing. This is Biden’s first trip to Asia as president. He will visit Japan next after a three-day stay in Seoul.

South Korean foreign minister Park Jin welcomed Biden at the U.S. airbase at Osan. Also present were the commanding general of U.S. forces in Korea, Paul LaCamera, among other American and South Korean officials.

The U.S. president is expected to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who just took office on May 10, later Friday at a Samsung Electronics plant. The meeting will be the first between the two leaders.

President Yoon hopes to get assurances from Biden that the U.S. will help deter North Korean threats.

According to a CNN report, US intelligence assesses that North Korea may now be preparing to fuel an intercontinental ballistic missile, one of the key final stages in preparing for a test launch. The possible fueling of a missile could mean that the rogue nation could perform a test launch while Biden is in South Korea. 

The U.S president and his aides have prepared contingencies should North Korea launch a long-range missile or conduct a seventh underground nuclear test. U.S. officials have briefed South Korea on the various possibilities. And should a test occur, CNN reported that Biden and President Yoon have talked about how they would jointly demonstrate a show of resolve.

Source: Reuters