South Korea is abandoning its previous denuclearisation-first policy in favor of a peace-first approach towards North Korea, according to Unification Minister Chung Dong-young.
New Approach
The ultimate goal of denuclearisation has not been abandoned, but the approach has been modified to prioritize an initial halt to North Korea’s nuclear activities. This new strategy aims to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme, as continued delays would allow Pyongyang to expand its nuclear arsenal.
North Korea is still operating centrifuges at underground uranium-enrichment facilities and a plutonium-producing reactor at a facility in Yongbyon, while its capacity to produce nuclear warheads continues to increase. The South Korean government has reframed its objective as achieving a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
Despite President Lee Jae Myung’s efforts to ease tensions, North Korea has remained hostile, accusing Lee of continuing a confrontational policy by maintaining close ties with the United States. However, Chung believes there is still strategic demand for renewed talks, particularly with expected meetings between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
