ID :
188767
Wed, 06/15/2011 - 12:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/188767
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea to keep pursuing dialogue with N. Korea: FM
SEOUL, June 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will continue to seek dialogue with North Korea while building deterrence against further provocations from the communist country, Seoul's foreign minister said Wednesday.
The remarks by Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan came after North Korea recently declared it would no longer deal with the Seoul government and divulged details of a series of secret inter-Korean meetings held in May. North Korea has yet to respond to South Korea's proposal in January to have denuclearization talks, amid persisting differences over the handling of two deadly attacks against the South last year.
Seoul continues to urge Pyongyang to take responsibility for the sinking of a South Korean warship and the shelling of a border island, but North Korea refuses to comply. The two attacks killed a total of 50 South Koreans.
"Such provocations by North Korea are a grave threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia and in the world," Kim said during a speech at a Seoul hotel to Korean community leaders from overseas. A transcript of his speech was released to the press.
"The government will respond to this with firm deterrence and strong security, while pursuing dialogue with North Korea with principle and patience in order to establish peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," he said.
In this way, South Korea will provide the basis for peaceful unification between the South and the North, he added.
The minister's comments reflect a consensus within the government that an improvement in North-South relations is necessary, but only after Pyongyang shows a seriousness of attitude. Earlier in the day, Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, Seoul's point man on North Korea, said the government will continue to make efforts for the development of normal inter-Korean relations and the North's change of attitude.
hague@yna.co.kr
The remarks by Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan came after North Korea recently declared it would no longer deal with the Seoul government and divulged details of a series of secret inter-Korean meetings held in May. North Korea has yet to respond to South Korea's proposal in January to have denuclearization talks, amid persisting differences over the handling of two deadly attacks against the South last year.
Seoul continues to urge Pyongyang to take responsibility for the sinking of a South Korean warship and the shelling of a border island, but North Korea refuses to comply. The two attacks killed a total of 50 South Koreans.
"Such provocations by North Korea are a grave threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia and in the world," Kim said during a speech at a Seoul hotel to Korean community leaders from overseas. A transcript of his speech was released to the press.
"The government will respond to this with firm deterrence and strong security, while pursuing dialogue with North Korea with principle and patience in order to establish peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," he said.
In this way, South Korea will provide the basis for peaceful unification between the South and the North, he added.
The minister's comments reflect a consensus within the government that an improvement in North-South relations is necessary, but only after Pyongyang shows a seriousness of attitude. Earlier in the day, Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, Seoul's point man on North Korea, said the government will continue to make efforts for the development of normal inter-Korean relations and the North's change of attitude.
hague@yna.co.kr
