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Thursday, January 04, 2018, 22:44
ROK to push for improved inter-Korean ties, denuclearization
By Associated Press
Thursday, January 04, 2018, 22:44 By Associated Press


In this Sept 25, 2017 photo, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha of the Republic of Korea (ROK) speaks about the Korean Peninsula situation at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC. (NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP)

SEOUL/TOKYO — The Republic of Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said Thursday that her country will push simultaneously for improved relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and concerted efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula.    

Kang made the remarks during her meeting with Marc Knapper, acting US ambassador to the ROK, and Gen. Vincent Brooks, commander of the US Forces Korea (USFK), according to Seoul's foreign ministry.     

Kang said the ROK will closely cooperate with the international community, including the United States, to push simultaneously for enhanced inter-Korean ties and the resolution of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.    

Her comments indicated Seoul's efforts to encourage the DPRK to return to a dialogue table for the denuclearization of the peninsula through sanctions and pressure.     

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a joint news conference with President Donald Trump, at the Akasaka Palace, Nov 6, 2017, in Tokyo. (KIYOSHI OTA / POOL PHOTO VIA AP)

Also on Thursday, Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the DPRK should shift course and drop its nuclear program and missile tests to become a wealthier nation.

North Korea does have diligent people and rich resources. They could make their country richer only if they adopted the right policies 

Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister

Speaking at a news conference for the new year, Abe told reporters Japan was watching to see the impact of sanctions against the DPRK, especially at this coldest time of the year. Coal and oil are among the items targeted, making heating supplies scarce in the winter.

ALSO READ: Japan imposes new sanctions on DPRK

"North Korea does have diligent people and rich resources. They could make their country richer only if they adopted the right policies," Abe said.

The DPRK is also referred to as North Korea.

He did not directly mention recent overtures by DPRK leader Kim Jong-un toward the Republic of Korea, including a reopening Thursday of a communications link between the rival countries.

Abe reiterated, as he often has, that the DPRK's missile and nuclear weapons programs are "the most serious threat for our national security since the end of World War II." He promised to carry on building up Japan's military to help protect the nation.

Abe has long sought to amend Japan's pacifist constitution, drafted by the United States after Tokyo's defeat in World War II. He said he hoped to deepen discussion about constitutional reforms during the coming year.

READ MORE: Japan to expand missile defense system amid DPRK threat


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