South Korean President says any talks with North Korea should be more than show

The President repeated his calls for North Korea to end its nuclear weapons development

August 17, 2022 08:34 am | Updated 08:34 am IST - SEOUL:

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a speech as he holds his first official news conference after taking office in May, to mark 100 days in office, in Seoul, South Korea, on August 17, 2022.

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a speech as he holds his first official news conference after taking office in May, to mark 100 days in office, in Seoul, South Korea, on August 17, 2022. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Talks with North Korea should not be for political show but contribute to establishing peace, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Wednesday, speaking at a press conference to mark his first 100 days in office.

Mr. Yoon repeated his calls for North Korea to end its nuclear weapons development and begin denuclearisation in exchange for phased economic aid.

South Korea was not in a position to guarantee the North’s security if it gave up its nuclear weapons, but Seoul does not want forced regime change in North Korea, he said.

Facing falling poll numbers and controversies over his picks for top ministers, Mr. Yoon was pressed by media on a range of issues including labour reform, housing shortages, and recovery from recent floods.

He said he believed that historical disputes with Japan dating back to its colonial occupation of the Korean peninsula from 1910-1945 can be overcome and that the two countries need to cooperate more closely on supply chain and economic security.

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