ID :
206106
Thu, 09/08/2011 - 18:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/206106
The shortlink copeid
Lee says he is open to inter-Korean summit, urges N. Korea to guarantee peace
SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak said Thursday he is open to a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, but the communist nation should first demonstrate its commitment to peace on the divided peninsula and pledge not to make provocations.
"I may or may not hold an inter-Korean summit during my term," Lee said during a nationally televised panel discussion. "If a summit is going to be held, there should be a guarantee that (North Korea) will bring peace to the Korean Peninsula and won't make provocations."
Lee also expressed skepticism about the usefulness of a summit with Pyongyang, saying that the communist nation kept committing provocations in waters near the western sea border despite the previous two rounds of summit talks with the South.
Lee also said that he wants to help North Korea revive its broken economy and maintain its security.
"I can hold (an inter-Korean summit) at any time if it helps open peace and prosperity between the two Koreas," he said.
Relations between the two Koreas have been tense since Lee took office with a pledge to link aid to the impoverished neighbor to progress in efforts to end its nuclear programs. The already-frayed ties plunged to the lowest levels in decades after the North's two deadly attacks on the South last year.
"I may or may not hold an inter-Korean summit during my term," Lee said during a nationally televised panel discussion. "If a summit is going to be held, there should be a guarantee that (North Korea) will bring peace to the Korean Peninsula and won't make provocations."
Lee also expressed skepticism about the usefulness of a summit with Pyongyang, saying that the communist nation kept committing provocations in waters near the western sea border despite the previous two rounds of summit talks with the South.
Lee also said that he wants to help North Korea revive its broken economy and maintain its security.
"I can hold (an inter-Korean summit) at any time if it helps open peace and prosperity between the two Koreas," he said.
Relations between the two Koreas have been tense since Lee took office with a pledge to link aid to the impoverished neighbor to progress in efforts to end its nuclear programs. The already-frayed ties plunged to the lowest levels in decades after the North's two deadly attacks on the South last year.
