A+ A-

US designation contributes to resolving N. Korea's nuke issue: Seoul

TOKYO, Nov 21 (KUNA) -- South Korea said Tuesday that it believes the US' designation of North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism will contribute to peacefully resolving the North's nuclear issue, public broadcaster KBS reported.
"US' latest step could be regarded as part of the international community's joint efforts to get the North to take the path toward denuclearization through strong pressure and sanctions," a Foreign Ministry official was quoted as saying in Seoul.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington has designated North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.
"There is no change in Seoul and Washington's joint stance that they will continuously work toward persuading the North to come to the negotiating table to discuss a peaceful resolution to its nuclear issue," the official stressed.
Citing US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's remark that the US still hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the North Korean nuclear crisis despite the latest designation, the official also said Seoul and Washington will continue to engage in close cooperation and consultations on various levels.
The announcement comes amid growing tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons, as Pyongyang conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test in September, which it said was an H-bomb that can be mounted on a long-range missile.
It also fired an intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan in the mid-September.
The US originally placed the North on the list in 1988, but former President George W Bush removed it from the list in 2008. (end) mk.mb