South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, held to mark his first year in office, on Monday. Photo by Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung stressed Monday efforts to induce North Korea to halt its expanding nuclear and missile programs as a realistic short-term goal, citing the "reality" of the regime's advancing military capabilities posing a threat to regional and global security.
In a press conference marking his first year in office, Lee noted that while the ultimate goal of denuclearizing the North should remain unchanged, it would be irresponsible to disregard the reality that Pyongyang sees little incentive to relinquish its nuclear arsenal.
"North Korea continues to produce nuclear material as we speak ... What happens if we allow this to go on? There will be more nuclear weapons, and ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) technology will move closer to completion. It is becoming worse. That is the reality," he said.
"Let's not give up our denuclearization goal ... (but seek) no additional production of nuclear material, no transfer of them abroad, a moratorium, a stop to the ICBM development. We have to set this as a short-term goal and negotiate (with the North)," he said.
