[ad_1]
President Lee Jae Myung has warned dangers of unintended clashes with North Korea, saying Seoul should proceed to make efforts with endurance to renew dialogue with Pyongyang to scale back such dangers.
Lee gave the evaluation on inter-Korean relations at a press convention aboard his flight from Johannesburg to Ankara on Sunday (native time), as a part of his four-nation journey to Africa and the Center East.
Inter-Korean relations have turned extraordinarily hostile and confrontational, and North Korea is partaking in very excessive actions with out even probably the most primary stage of belief,” Lee advised reporters. “We’re in a really harmful state of affairs the place unintended clashes may get away at any time.”
He renewed his name for dialogue after Seoul proposed army talks to make clear the Army Demarcation Line (MDL), aimed toward stopping unintended clashes close to the border. The proposal got here amid repeated incidents of North Korean troopers briefly crossing the MDL whereas clearing land or laying mines within the buffer zone.
Lee famous that the North has been putting in triple layers of barbed wire alongside the MDL, elevating the danger of warning-fire incidents amid differing views on the exact border line.
“With all communication channels severed, even when an unintended conflict happens, there isn’t any option to resolve it,” he mentioned.
To ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Lee underscored the necessity to push for dialogue with Pyongyang even when it stays unresponsive.
Whereas reaffirming unification with North Korea is South Korea’s final aim, Lee mentioned it should be approached from a long-term perspective.
“We have now no intention of pursuing unification by absorption,” he mentioned, emphasizing that discussions on unification ought to come solely after dialogue resumes and peaceable coexistence is established.
Requested whether or not South Korea may take into account curbing its joint army drills with the USA to deliver Pyongyang to the negotiating desk, Lee mentioned it’s untimely to attract conclusions, calling the matter “probably the most delicate” situation for North Korea.
He mentioned that whereas a steady peace regime through which large-scale workout routines are pointless could be fascinating in the long run, selections on drills ought to rely upon evolving circumstances.
“If a steady peace regime is firmly established between the 2 Koreas, it might be fascinating to not conduct the drills,” he mentioned. “Relying on the state of affairs, lowering or suspending the workout routines may develop into both the results of constructing a peace regime or leverage to assist create one. It’s troublesome to say at this second which will probably be.”
President Lee Jae Myung and President Lee Jae Myung, proper, and his spouse Kim Hea Kyung depart for Turke after attending the G20 summit at Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday (native time). Yonhap
Pyongyang has lengthy denounced the Seoul-Washington workout routines as “struggle rehearsals,” whereas the allies declare they’re defensive in nature.
On relations with China, Lee reiterated that South Korea ought to stably handle ties with its largest buying and selling companion whereas advancing the alliance with the U.S. to a strategic complete one encompassing the financial system and know-how.
“The essential precept of our diplomacy is the Korea-U.S. alliance, whereas stably managing relations with China,” he mentioned. “The inspiration of this method is pragmatic diplomacy centered on nationwide pursuits. I’ve clearly communicated this precept to each the U.S. and China.”
Relating to the diplomatic row between Beijing and Tokyo over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s current remarks on Taiwan, Lee known as for a “cool-headed method” guided by nationwide curiosity.
He mentioned he held separate talks with Takaichi and Chinese language Premier Li Qiang on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) summit in South Africa to stop misunderstandings or battle.
“I’ve defined our place within the two conferences,” he mentioned, including that “there aren’t any extra danger elements” in South Korea’s relations with the neighboring nations.
South Korea, China and Japan reportedly had consultations to rearrange their first trilateral summit since Might 2024. However the outlook for trilateral engagement stays cloudy amid a diplomatic row between Tokyo and Beijing.
Lee mentioned leaders he met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa and visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt confirmed robust curiosity in South Korea’s protection trade.
“Specifically, they have been inquisitive about joint improvement, manufacturing, gross sales and exploring new markets,” he mentioned.
He expressed optimism in clinching a significant protection deal from the UAE following his summit with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan final week.
Lee additionally mentioned Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi outlined plans to increase Cairo Worldwide Airport beneath an estimated price of round 3-4 trillion received ($2-2.7 billion), whereas expressing hope that Korean corporations would be a part of the challenge to overtake and function it.
In Johannesburg, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed establishing a cooperative framework within the shipbuilding trade involving South Korea, Japan and India, Lee added.
Forward of his summit with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, Lee mentioned he needs to focus on Korea’s superior nuclear power functionality to advertise the state-run Korea Electrical Energy Corp. (KEPCO)’s bid to win a brand new nuclear plant challenge in Turkey.
In 2023, KEPCO submitted a preliminary bid to Turkey’s challenge to construct its second nuclear energy plant in Sinop on the Black Beach.
[ad_2]
