Advertisement

South Korean president says North Korea not sustainable as nuclear power

By Elizabeth Shim
South Korean President Park Geun-hye reaffirmed her position on North Korea denuclearization on Friday. Pool Photo by Dennis Brack/UPI
South Korean President Park Geun-hye reaffirmed her position on North Korea denuclearization on Friday. Pool Photo by Dennis Brack/UPI | License Photo

SEOUL, June 24 (UPI) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye warned the North Korean regime isn't sustainable as long as the state continues to pursue nuclear weapons development.

Speaking at an event commemorating the upcoming 66th anniversary of the 1950-53 Korean War, Park also said the will of the international community will "never be shaken" in its unanimous call for North Korea denuclearization, Yonhap reported Friday.

Advertisement

"North Korea has been disregarding South Korean and international efforts toward peace, while adamantly carrying out a fourth nuclear test and a launch of a long-range missile, and going on a path of perilous isolation and confrontation," Park said.

The recent launches of North Korea Musudan missiles have placed Seoul on alert, and the projectiles are increasingly being perceived as a threat to South Korean national security.

Park also said at the commemoration honoring Korean War veterans that Seoul plans to build a "solid security stance" in the context of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.

"A solid security stance is to be built on the foundation of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, and through the cooperation of the international community and U.N. member states who participated in the war we will continue to strengthen pressure and sanctions against North Korea, and make [the North] realize that it cannot sustain its regime unless it puts down its nuclear weapons," Park said. "North Korea claims it is a nuclear power, and has been escalating tensions with cyberterrorism and other provocations, but the international community's will, will never be shaken on the issue of North Korea denuclearization."

Advertisement

On Friday the Nuclear Suppliers Group, a body of nations aiming to control nuclear-related technology, concluded its congress in Seoul, News 1 reported.

In a joint announcement, the group said it condemns North Korea's fourth nuclear test and that it reaffirms its commitment to the implementation of U.N. Security Council sanctions resolutions.

Latest Headlines