ID :
67350
Tue, 06/23/2009 - 20:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/67350
The shortlink copeid
President says Seoul is only gov`t truly helping N. Korea
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, June 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak urged North Korea
Tuesday to halt its provocative military threats and to work with his country,
saying South Korea is the only country in the world that is interested in truly
helping the communist state.
"Every country in the world is interested in helping North Korea, but there is no
other country except South Korea that is interested in helping North Korea stand
on its own and be able to survive international competition," the president said
in a meeting of some 370 leaders of Korean communities from 65 countries
throughout the world.
"We keep telling North Korea to become a (responsible) member of the
international community and that if it does, South Korea and the world can help
North Korea become a country that can live without any assistance," Lee said at
the World Korean Community Leaders Convention.
Pyongyang conducted its second nuclear test on May 25, prompting a strong
condemnation and sanctions from the U.N. Security Council.
The North, however, continues to escalate tension in the region by threatening to
test-launch a long-range ballistic missile and reinforce its nuclear arsenal with
a uranium enrichment program in addition to its existing plutonium-based weapons
program.
The South Korean president said threats and provocations can buy time for North
Korea, but not its survival.
"Living by threatening when it is not getting any assistance is not true living,"
Lee said.
The president said North Korea could become one of the fastest-growing economies
if it decides to open up, noting South Korea grew economically in a short period
of time after the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
"I believe North Korea can catch up with China in a very short period of time if
we put in the necessary infrastructure, build factories there and train their
workers," he said.
"I believe North Korea will change once it learns South Korea's sincere
intentions," Lee added.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, June 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak urged North Korea
Tuesday to halt its provocative military threats and to work with his country,
saying South Korea is the only country in the world that is interested in truly
helping the communist state.
"Every country in the world is interested in helping North Korea, but there is no
other country except South Korea that is interested in helping North Korea stand
on its own and be able to survive international competition," the president said
in a meeting of some 370 leaders of Korean communities from 65 countries
throughout the world.
"We keep telling North Korea to become a (responsible) member of the
international community and that if it does, South Korea and the world can help
North Korea become a country that can live without any assistance," Lee said at
the World Korean Community Leaders Convention.
Pyongyang conducted its second nuclear test on May 25, prompting a strong
condemnation and sanctions from the U.N. Security Council.
The North, however, continues to escalate tension in the region by threatening to
test-launch a long-range ballistic missile and reinforce its nuclear arsenal with
a uranium enrichment program in addition to its existing plutonium-based weapons
program.
The South Korean president said threats and provocations can buy time for North
Korea, but not its survival.
"Living by threatening when it is not getting any assistance is not true living,"
Lee said.
The president said North Korea could become one of the fastest-growing economies
if it decides to open up, noting South Korea grew economically in a short period
of time after the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
"I believe North Korea can catch up with China in a very short period of time if
we put in the necessary infrastructure, build factories there and train their
workers," he said.
"I believe North Korea will change once it learns South Korea's sincere
intentions," Lee added.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
