FILE PHOTO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the Ministry of National Defense on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People鈥檚 Army in Pyongyang, North Korea in this picture released on February 9, 2024 by the Korean Central 黑料社 Agency. KCNA via REUTERS
Washington, United States 聽鈥� The United States on Tuesday encouraged reclusive North Korea to open its borders to humanitarian workers and ease some of the world鈥檚 strictest Covid-era restrictions.
Germany and Britain have reportedly sent inspection teams to see embassies in Pyongyang shuttered since the pandemic, a first step toward reopening them.
鈥淭here were reports of some European delegations being able to go back into the country, so we welcome those developments,鈥� Jung Pak, the State Department鈥檚 pointperson on North Korea, said at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
鈥淲e would also encourage the DPRK to further open its borders, in particular to allow for humanitarian cooperation,鈥� she said, using the North鈥檚 official name, the Democratic People鈥檚 Republic of Korea.
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Pak said that humanitarian groups had 鈥渞eally good people鈥� working on North Korea not connected to politics.
鈥淲e want to make sure that children are vaccinated, that the health systems are in order,鈥� she said.
Tensions have remained high with North Korea, which has carried out a slew of missile tests and rejected offers by President Joe Biden鈥檚 administration for dialogue.
North Korea earlier Tuesday said that the United States and South Korea would pay a 鈥渄ear price鈥� over large-scale military exercises starting this week.
Pak reiterated the US stance that it has no hostile intention toward Kim Jong Un鈥檚 state, which has tested nuclear weapons.
鈥淭he US-ROK exercises are purely defensive, and they are in response to the threats in the region,鈥� she said, using the South鈥檚 official name, the Republic of Korea.