Jun 17, 2016, 11:09 AM

Russian envoy:

Seoul should avoid excessive pressure on North

Seoul should avoid excessive pressure on North

SEOUL, Jun. 17 (MNA) – Seoul must be more open to having talks with North Korea, said Russia’s envoy to South Korea on Friday, adding that imposing excessive pressure on Pyongyang will not help improve the inter-Korean relationship.

During his meeting with officials from the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, Amb. Alexander Timonin said South Korea should seek political and diplomatic solutions to resolving the nuclear issue.

The tension between the two Koreas has been rising this year after Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test in January and the firing of a long-range missile the following month. Seoul shut down the Kaesong Industrial Complex in the North's border city of the same name in February in response to the test.

While North Korea has recently called for military talks to diffuse tensions, South Korea declined to respond to the request, adding Pyongyang must make formally commit itself to denuclearization first.

The reclusive country's leader Kim Jong-un recently claimed the North is a "responsible nuclear power," making it clear that he has no intentions of giving up his weapons.

Timonin said Russia supports the United Nations' sanctions against Pyongyang, adding his country also cannot tolerate nuclear weapons in North Korea.

The envoy then said Moscow will continue to push for the resumption of six-party talks to solve inter-Korean issues.

Kim Chong-in, the interim leader of the Minjoo Party, said Russia can play a crucial role in easing the deadlock by exercising its influence on Pyongyang.

 

YNA/MNA

 

News ID 117410

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