Only N. Korea's denuclearization can bring peace to Korea: minister

SEOGWIPO, South Korea, May 25 (Yonhap) -- Seoul's pointman on Pyongyang stepped up pressure on North Korea Wednesday by calling on the reclusive country to abandon its nuclear weapons program, saying such a move is the only way to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo made the call as South Korea has spurned the North's recent proposals for talks, citing a lack of sincerity to denuclearize.

"Now is a time to gather our strength and maintain a firm stance to draw change and denuclearization from North Korea," he said in his welcoming remarks at a dinner he hosted for participants of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity. "Only then can we build true peace (on the Korean Peninsula)."

Calling the North's nuclear ambitions the greatest threat to peace on the peninsula, Hong accused Pyongyang of refusing to include it on the agenda for inter-Korean dialogue.

"That is why the South Korean government is demanding the North first state its willingness to denuclearize if it truly wants peace on the Korean Peninsula," he said.

North Korea has repeatedly proposed talks with the South after its leader Kim Jong-un called for inter-Korean military talks during a rare ruling party congress earlier this month.

Kim, however, also made clear he would pursue his signature policy of developing the country's economy and nuclear program in tandem.

hague@yna.co.kr
(END)