S. Korea strengthening coordination with neighbors on N. Korea: security official

SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's key security official insisted on Friday that Seoul is strengthening its close coordination with its neighbors on North Korea issues.

Chung Eui-yong, head of the presidential National Security Office, made the remarks while attending President Moon Jae-in's dinner with leaders of the ruling Democratic Party.

According to Democratic Party spokeswoman Kim Hyun, Chung told the audience that North Korea's nuclear and missile threats reach beyond the Korean Peninsula and represent "a challenge to world peace."

"This is an extremely grave situation, as we see a vicious cycle of North Korean provocations and international sanctions," Chung was quoted as saying by Kim. "The Moon administration inherited the most difficult security environment, but we're doing the best we can."

Chung also said Seoul is bolstering close coordination with the United States, China, Japan and Russia.

Chung also laid out five basic pillars of Seoul's approach to the North Korea issue -- denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, bringing peace to the peninsula, taking an active role in resolving the North Korea issue, adopting a two-track approach of seeking dialogue while maintaining pressure on Pyongyang, and delivering a stern response to North Korean provocations.

Chung also said he "can't imagine" any of the neighboring powers bypassing Seoul to deal with North Korea.

"The basis of the Moon administration's policy is peaceful denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and building peace by improving inter-Korean relations," Chung added.

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