South Korea is firmly committed to using peaceful means to resolve the issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons development, South Korea's new ambassador to the United States said Thursday, adding that close consultation with the US is crucial in the process.
"Our government's firm stance is for the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue. This is also President Moon Jae-in's firm position," Amb. Cho Yoon-je told reporters, one day before he heads to the US for preparations ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to South Korea in early November.
"Currently, we are in the process of finding ways to solve the issue, as no one has a clear solution in mind," Cho said. "What is important is to correctly figure out what North Korea wants, and close cooperation between South Korea and the US is crucial in the process."
The final goal of the ongoing pressure and sanctions would be to bring North Korea back to the table for negotiations, he added.
With a doctorate in economics, Cho has previously been a presidential aide for economic affairs and an ambassador to Britain.
Referring to the ongoing US move to reform the Korea-US free trade agreement, he said the bilateral agreement has been mutually beneficial to both sides. "On our side, we will make efforts to retain our interest in the difficult process (of reform) and make it look reasonable to the National Assembly and the people." (Yonhap)
