President Yoon: "No Intention to Ruin North Korea... Dialogue Depends on Kim Jong-un's Choice" (Update)

Interview with CNN Broadcast... "We Will Respond Firmly" to the Possibility of North Korea's 7th Nuclear Test

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol stated, "We do not aim to ruin North Korea but to achieve mutual prosperity." In an interview with the U.S. CNN broadcast on the 23rd, he said, "It is up to Chairman Kim Jong-un to choose whether to start talks with us."

CNN reported that President Yoon responded, "I do not believe that strengthening nuclear armament contributes to peace and prosperity," and added, "It is questionable whether North Korea can sustain its current state in the long term." He especially emphasized that "the response of this administration will be different from previous governments" if North Korea conducts a seventh nuclear test. President Yoon said, "We will respond strongly and firmly to any threats and provocations from North Korea to deter their provocations."

Regarding China's opposition to South Korea's participation in the U.S.-led IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework), he expressed the view that "it is not reasonable for China to take this sensitively." President Yoon explained, "South Korea has no intention of neglecting economic cooperation with China by strengthening security and technology alliances with the U.S. Joining IPEF was considered in the national interest."

Additionally, President Yoon responded to North Korea's sensitive reaction to the expansion of South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises by saying, "All militaries must conduct training to maintain readiness." On the possibility of redeploying tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, he stated, "There has been no discussion."