(VOVworld) – On Thursday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged a return to talks with North Korea, saying he stands ready to personally contribute in any way that might be helpful.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks at the opening ceremony of the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity on the southern resort island of Jeju on May 26, 2016. (Photo: Yonhap)

Ban said during his trip to South Korea that tensions on the Peninsula were one of the greatest challenges to global action and regional cooperation. He showed his concern over recent actions taken by Pyongyang, asking it not to repeat such provocations and honor international law. The UN Chief warned that North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles would only undermine its own security and hurt its own citizens, but left the door open to talks.