President Lee calls on N. Korea to halt provocation, begin dialogue

By Byun Duk-kun
JEJU ISLAND, South Korea, June 1 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak urged North
Korea Monday to refrain from any further provocative acts following its second
nuclear test that prompted strong condemnations from the international community,
saying his country will not tolerate any military threats or provocations.

Lee's call comes amid reports of alleged preparations by Pyongyang to test-launch
a long-range ballistic missile. An intelligence source told Yonhap News Agency
last week that an intercontinental ballistic missile was recently spotted on top
of a cargo train near the North Korean capital.
"If (North Korea) refuses to take the path to dialogue and chooses the path of
military threats and provocation, the Republic of Korea will never tolerate such
threats," the president said in his biweekly radio address, referring to his
country by its official name.
The president is on a trip to the southern resort island of Jeju for a special
summit with leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN).
North Korea said last Monday that it has successfully conducted its second
nuclear explosion test, prompting a move by the U.N. Security Council to impose
fresh sanctions on the communist nation and inviting strong condemnations from
Seoul and its allies.
"North Korea's second nuclear test last week brought great disappointment and
shock not only to our people, but the entire world," Lee said in the speech.
The president said the international community will never accept or tolerate
Pyongyang's attempt to be a recognized nuclear weapons state, adding its
possession of nuclear arms will only add to its difficulties and threaten its
existence.
"North Korea must give up nuclear weapons and join the international community.
The former Soviet Union did not collapse because it did not have nuclear
weapons," he said.
The president also noted that ongoing efforts by the U.N. Security Council to
impose sanctions on the North are not aimed at bringing down the North's
communist regime, but rather engaging Pyongyang in dialogue.
"North Korea must realize that its threatening of our and the world's peace and
stability with nuclear weapons is what really threatens its regime," said Lee.
"We sincerely hope for peace, but will sternly deal with any threats," he added.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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