Lee vows to pursue 3-stage denuclearization plan for N. Korea

SEOUL, Aug. 21 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung has said he will pursue a three-stage denuclearization plan for North Korea, with Seoul approaching such a strategy via active efforts for dialogue with Pyongyang based on the solid alliance with the United States.

In an interview with Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun ahead of his visit to Tokyo for summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Lee said he will seek to freeze North Korea's nuclear and missile programs in the first stage.

In the second and final stage, Lee said he will seek to reduce and dismantle North Korea's nuclear program, according to a script of the interview provided by the presidential office.

South Korea, while maintaining close coordination with the U.S., will actively pursue inter-Korean dialogue to establish conditions for the goal, Lee told the Japanese newspaper.

ejkim@yna.co.kr
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