North Korea repeatedly insisted that the US policy of hostilities against North Korea should be withdrawn to establish new US-North Korea relations. The Korean government has emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy are the only options for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. Reporter Lee Yeon-cheol reports.
At a meeting on the last day of the high-level session of the disarmament conference in Geneva, Switzerland, North Korea argued that the key to establishing new US-North Korea relations lies in the US withdrawing its hostile policy.
[녹취: 북한 대표] “The key to establish a new DPRK US relationship lies in the US withdrawal of its hostile policy towards the DPRK”
North Korea applied for the right to object to the meeting today and said this in connection with the speech of US Secretary of State Tony Blincoln on the 22nd.
The North Korean representative claimed that North Korea made good faith efforts to prevent tensions on the Korean peninsula and in the region from worsening and showed maximum patience.
However, he said the hostile nature of the US policy toward North Korea has not been alleviated, but has gone to extremes.
Earlier in a video speech at a meeting on the 22nd, Secretary Blincoln emphasized that the United States continues to focus on the denuclearization of North Korea and that it will work closely with the alliance to deal with North Korea’s illegal weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.
[녹취: 블링컨 장관] “The United States also remains focused on denuclearization of North Korea and will work closely with allies and partners to address Pyongyang’s illicit weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.”
North Korea also said at the meeting today that the outlook for inter-Korean relations depends entirely on the attitude of the South Korean authorities.
[녹취: 북한 대표] “The prospect of inter-Korea relations entirely depend on the attitude of South Korean authorities.”
It is argued that the ROK authorities must end all hostilities, take a serious approach to the South-North Joint Declaration, and faithfully implement it.
North Korea then accused Japan of laying a stepping stone to become a military power in the region, using threats from neighboring countries to increase defense spending.
In doing so, he argued that such a move poses a real and significant threat to peace and stability in the region.
The ROK government has repeatedly emphasized the position that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to achieve genuine and lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula by countering the North Korean remarks.
[녹취: 한국 대표] “I’d like to reiterate our strong belief that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to achieve genuine and lasting peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.”
In this context, the South Korean delegation said he is asking North Korea to respond to South Korea’s request to resume dialogue.
Japan also applied for the right to object, refuting that North Korea’s allegations had no basis.
[녹취: 일본 대표] “It has consistently respected democracy and human rights and contributed to peace and prosperity of the Asia Pacific region and international communities.”
Japan continues to respect democracy and human rights, and contributes to peace and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region and the international community.
The Japanese delegation urged North Korea to give up all nuclear and ballistic missile programs, saying North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs are a clear violation of a series of UN Security Council resolutions.
The United States did not apply for a separate objection in relation to North Korea’s remarks, although Ambassador Robert Wood in charge of disarmament of the Geneva delegation attended the meeting.
This is VOA News Lee Yeon-cheol.
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