Seoul: The unification ministry confirmed on Friday that its strategy towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula remains consistent, promising to pursue "phased, viable" resolutions. This announcement comes in response to North Korea's recent reaffirmation of its refusal to abandon its nuclear weapons.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the unification ministry reiterated its commitment to seek solutions for denuclearization that are mutually agreeable and grounded in reality. Chang Yoon-jeong, the deputy spokesperson at the ministry, emphasized this stance during a press briefing.
The previous evening, Kim Yo-jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's influential sister, criticized a Group of Seven statement from their summit in France. The statement had reiterated the group's dedication to the "complete denuclearization" of North Korea, as per U.N. Security Council resolutions. Kim described North Korea's nuclear arsenal as integral to its "core interests" and declared denuclearization as a "line of no retreat."
Jang noted that Kim's remarks seem to echo a position she articulated earlier this month, asserting the nuclear program's centrality to the nation's core interests and its non-negotiable status.
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young later remarked on the need for a realistic approach towards North Korea's denuclearization priorities. He acknowledged the complexity of the issue, noting that merely advocating for denuclearization would not suffice, given Pyongyang's strengthened nuclear stance.
Chung advocated for focusing on freezing North Korea's nuclear program rather than insisting on complete dismantlement. This aligns with President Lee Jae Myung's call for a phased strategy to address North Korea's nuclear challenges. Lee emphasized the importance of initially halting Pyongyang's nuclear and missile activities before striving towards the larger goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula.