South Korea urges North Korea to return to negotiation
(VOVWORLD) - South Korean Unification Minister Lee In-young called on North Korea Thursday to return to the negotiating table, saying April is a critical period for regional security.
 South Korean Unification Minister Lee In-young (Photo: Yonhap/VNA) |
Lee said in a video message that April is a time laden with factors that could escalate military tensions, such as the springtime South Korea-US joint military exercises and the 110th birth anniversary of Kim Il-sung, the North's late founding leader.
It is very unfortunate not only for the North but for the future of the South if it has chosen nukes and missiles over dialogue, Lee said.
South Korea's president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol said Thursday that strong deterrence is crucial in the face of nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.