Tension between Koreas rises, while U.S. backs Seoul

美 국방부, 북한 대남 위협에 굳건한 연합방위 강조...김정은, 트럼프 친서 보낼까

Tension on the Korean Peninsula is rising after North Korea severed all communication lines with Seoul and then hiked the rhetoric up another notch by threatening possible military actions.
The U.S. has not provided an official statement on the harsh words used by the North, but has indirectly warned Pyeongyang.... by emphasizing its iron-clad alliance with South Korea.
Choi Jeongyoon reports.
Hope for peace and denuclearization has been swiftly replaced by a renewal of tensions.
The historic first North Korea-U.S. summit took place just two years ago in Singapore, but today North Korea is ramping up its aggressive rhetoric toward South Korea as well as boasting of developing what it calls "more reliable military forces to counter the U.S."
In the past five days alone,... the North has cut all communication lines with South Korea, threatened to destroy an inter-Korean liaison office, a symbol of Seoul-Pyeongyang talks...as well as suggesting possible military actions against the South.
To the North's latest comments,... the U.S. emphasized the firm, joint defense relationship between Seoul and Washington.
The Pentagon avoided directly commenting on the rhetoric itself...but watchers say by stressing its solid military alliance with Seoul, the U.S. is warning the North against military action.
The U.S. Defense Department also said the North's recent actions were disappointing and urged Pyeongyang to resume diplomacy and cooperation,...stressing its strong will to keep South Korea safe.
Eyes are also on whether North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent President Trump a congratulatory birthday message as he turned 74 on June 14th.
Kim sent a personally signed letter to President Trump for his last birthday and Trump also sent a personal message to Kim on his birthday on January 8th this year.
Whether Kim has sent a letter to President Trump could be seen as a barometer on how the North is approaching the U.S., while taking a torch to its relationship with the South.
Kim sending a message to President Trump could be read as showing he wants to avoid damaging North Korea-U.S. ties too much.
If there had been a letter, watchers say the possibility of President Trump revealing it is high, but as of yet, no tweet has been sent nor has a statement been released by the White House.
Choi Jeong-yoon, Arirang News.