(LEAD) Unification minister says united global response key to deterring N.K. provocations

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead with new info; ADDS press meeting in paras 2-5)

SEOUL, April 10 (Yonhap) — Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho said Thursday the key to addressing North Korea’s provocations and nuclear ambitions lies in the unified goals and coordinated actions of the international community.

Kim made the remarks during a press conference in Tokyo, where he reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to achieving the complete denuclearization of North Korea, enhancing international cooperation and strengthening extended deterrence through the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

“The complete denuclearization of North Korea may seem like an unattainable goal, but a path forward will open if the international community joins hands,” Kim said, noting that the Donald Trump administration also pursued the objective.

Though China and Russia have not taken a firm stance on sanctions against Pyongyang, Kim pointed out that both countries share a desire for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula so they are unlikely to oppose reunification or efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

Asked about his view on calls from some for South Korea’s independent nuclear armament, Kim made it clear that the government is not considering the development of its own nuclear weapons and remains committed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Kim is in Japan for a three-day visit through Friday, which aims at enhancing two-way cooperation on inter-Korean unification issues and the North Korea policy under Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba administration.

During his meeting with Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, Kim exchanged views on the security situation in North Korea and reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo, as well as trilateral coordination involving the United States, according to Japan’s Kyodo News.

Kim also reiterated the South Korean government’s support for the immediate resolution of the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, it added.

Kim held separate talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, during which he called for maintaining close bilateral ties and building a future-oriented cooperative relationship to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and around the world.

Iwaya emphasized that relations between the two neighboring countries are crucial in today’s strategic environment, according to the report.

graceoh@yna.co.kr
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