N. Korea unlikely to return to dialogue for now

By Yi Whan-woo

Cho Myoung-gyon

North Korea appears to be fully concentrating on completing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and may not respond to South Korea's offer for dialogue before then, Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said Friday.

"I think Pyongyang is putting its emphasis on completing development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles for the time being," he said during a luncheon with reporters. "It's my understanding it will only engage in negotiation afterwards."

Cho claimed the possibility remains over North Korea's additional provocations following its sixth nuclear test, such as a ballistic missile test to mark the 69th anniversary of the country's founding on Saturday.

"The government will take all possible measures to avoid the situation in which North Korea will build an intercontinental ballistic missile mounted with a nuclear weapon," he said. "I have a clear view of pursuing the denuclearization of Pyongyang through peaceful means."

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The minister added that inter-Korean dialogue is not timely, although the government will continue to support diplomatic methods in settling tension on the Korean Peninsula.

Regarding the "New Northern Policy" outlined by President Moon Jae-in, Thursday, Cho said the government will not hurry in convincing Pyongyang to seek economic cooperation with Russia, China and former Soviet members.

Meanwhile, a senior government official said the peaceful measures in resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis can include military efforts, such as extended nuclear deterrence.

The official cited a need for the new U.N. Security Council sanctions aimed at "giving real hardship" to the Kim Jong-un regime, saying, "Such pressure will be important for inducing the regime to return to the negotiating table."

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