Opposition leader says N. Korea must be pushed to reform, open up

TOKYO, June 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's main opposition party leader said Tuesday the reclusive regime in North Korea must be pushed to reform and open up, indicating that a prolonged standoff between the Koreas will only aggravate tensions between the sides.
Speaking at a meeting with Japanese reporters in Tokyo, Sohn Hak-kyu, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), voiced his opinions on how North Korea should be handled amid Pyongyang's repeated provocations.
"For a peaceful solution to problems on the Korean Peninsula, (we should) patiently continue to persuade North Korea to reform and open up," he said.
"North Korea is most dangerous when in its current state of isolation. Holding dialogue and boosting exchanges with North Korea should not be regarded simply as a means of strengthening the North Korean regime, but as a way of achieving the country's reform and openness" he added.
Sohn indicated, however, that he also will not tolerate North Korea's violation of international norms.
"Regarding North Korea's human rights situation, nuclear weapons and missiles development, (I will) maintain a firm stance together with the international community," he said.
In particular, he pointed to North Korea's reported preparations for a power succession from its current leader, Kim Jong-il, to his third and youngest son, Jong-un, as a "clear mistake" that does not fit into the 21st century.
"However, the other side of reality is that we have to deal with North Korea," he said.