[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated on the 15th, “For peace and mutual development on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea’s nuclear weapons must be abolished, and the ROK-US alliance, the core pillar of our defense, must be strengthened in a future-oriented manner on an equal footing and position.”
At the policy seminar “On(on) National Study Room” held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building that day, Ahn said, “While the economy is a matter of livelihood, diplomacy and security are matters of life and death,” adding, “The most important thing is to establish and uphold principles.”
He said, “We must lead the abolition of North Korea’s nuclear weapons through dialogue and negotiation based on universal values of the international community,” and added, “However, unfortunately, if North Korea ultimately insists on nuclear weapons, we must find ways to balance power for peace even without bringing nuclear weapons into the country, such as through the ROK-US nuclear sharing agreement.”
He continued, “War on the Korean Peninsula can never be tolerated,” and said, “Preventing war that would turn the development South Korea has built up until now into ashes in an instant and protecting peace is the greatest national interest. To this end, we must pursue situation assessment based on cold-headed realistic recognition and practical benefits.”
Ahn pointed out, “The U.S. presidential election is approaching this November. North Korea has only temporarily suspended provocations,” and said, “Despite rapidly changing international circumstances, every time the regime changes, we have been so busy erasing all activities of the previous administration that no experience or lessons remain.”
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