ID :
155418
Thu, 12/30/2010 - 15:32
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/155418
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea rules out absorbing N. Korea: official
SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea remains unchanged in its goal to reunify
with North Korea through gradual integration, an official here said on Thursday,
a day after Pyongyang accused Seoul of announcing a plan to absorb the communist
state.
On Wednesday, the South's Unification Ministry outlined a series of steps that it
said would lead to the denuclearization of the North and improve the lives of
people in the impoverished neighbor ahead of the unification of the two Koreas.
Hours later, Uriminzokkiri, the North's official Web site, said the 2011 plan
underscores the South's intention to topple the communist regime, warning that an
attempt to achieve unification by absorption would lead to "an armed clash and a
calamity."
"It is not true that the South is seeking absorption," a Unification Ministry
official said, commenting on the Uriminzokkiri editorial. "Peaceful and
step-by-step unification has been and will remain the South's goal in dealing
with the North."
The official spoke on the customary condition of anonymity.
Minister Hyun In-taek said Thursday that he understands the need to restore
dialogue with the North, but said that Pyongyang must first be willing to end
provocative behavior and discuss a full range of topics, including its nuclear
arms, with Seoul.
Hyun also said North Koreans are better aware of the outside world than before,
urging the communist regime to improve its human rights records and drop its
military-oriented governance.
Earlier this year, North Korea mounted an artillery attack on South Korea's
border island of Yeonpyeong, killing two marines and two civilian construction
workers in the first such direct assault on South Korean soil since the 1950-53
Korean War ended in a truce.
South Korea also holds North Korea responsible for the sinking of its warship
near the western island in March. A series of punitive measures, including
suspension of cross-border trade, came into effect after a multinational probe
found the North culpable in May.
samkim@yna.co.kr
with North Korea through gradual integration, an official here said on Thursday,
a day after Pyongyang accused Seoul of announcing a plan to absorb the communist
state.
On Wednesday, the South's Unification Ministry outlined a series of steps that it
said would lead to the denuclearization of the North and improve the lives of
people in the impoverished neighbor ahead of the unification of the two Koreas.
Hours later, Uriminzokkiri, the North's official Web site, said the 2011 plan
underscores the South's intention to topple the communist regime, warning that an
attempt to achieve unification by absorption would lead to "an armed clash and a
calamity."
"It is not true that the South is seeking absorption," a Unification Ministry
official said, commenting on the Uriminzokkiri editorial. "Peaceful and
step-by-step unification has been and will remain the South's goal in dealing
with the North."
The official spoke on the customary condition of anonymity.
Minister Hyun In-taek said Thursday that he understands the need to restore
dialogue with the North, but said that Pyongyang must first be willing to end
provocative behavior and discuss a full range of topics, including its nuclear
arms, with Seoul.
Hyun also said North Koreans are better aware of the outside world than before,
urging the communist regime to improve its human rights records and drop its
military-oriented governance.
Earlier this year, North Korea mounted an artillery attack on South Korea's
border island of Yeonpyeong, killing two marines and two civilian construction
workers in the first such direct assault on South Korean soil since the 1950-53
Korean War ended in a truce.
South Korea also holds North Korea responsible for the sinking of its warship
near the western island in March. A series of punitive measures, including
suspension of cross-border trade, came into effect after a multinational probe
found the North culpable in May.
samkim@yna.co.kr
