Park Jin: "Substantial Progress in North Korea's Denuclearization Needed to Discuss Peace Agreement"

Foreign Minister nominee Park Jin is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 2nd and taking the witness oath. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that discussions on a peace agreement and other matters can take place after substantial progress is made in North Korea's denuclearization. However, he plans to pursue humanitarian aid to North Korea even before denuclearization.

In his opening remarks at the National Assembly confirmation hearing on the 2nd, Park said, "The new government will strengthen the robust combined defense posture through the ROK-US alliance to enhance deterrence against North Korea, and will lead international cooperation to enforce sanctions against North Korea so that it realizes there is nothing to gain from possessing nuclear weapons."

He continued, "If substantial progress is made in North Korea's denuclearization, we will promote support and economic cooperation with North Korea and discussions on a peace agreement through ROK-US coordination. Even before denuclearization, we will pursue humanitarian aid to North Korea and work with the United Nations and the international community to strive for improvements in North Korean human rights."

Park also said, "We will always keep the door to dialogue with North Korea open and strive to play a central diplomatic role as a direct party to the Korean Peninsula issue," mentioning the establishment of dialogue channels for trilateral communication among South Korea, North Korea, and the United States.

Regarding the United States, he said, "We will successfully prepare for the first ROK-US summit after the new government takes office and develop the ROK-US alliance into a higher-level comprehensive strategic alliance," adding, "Based on shared values between South Korea and the United States, we will actively cooperate for peace and prosperity not only on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia but also in the Indo-Pacific region."

To this end, he added that he will seek participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and various cooperation with the Quad.

Park said, "To proactively respond to digital transformation and energy transition, we will strengthen economic security diplomacy," emphasizing expanding economic and trade diplomacy to address supply chain instability and establishing a rapid response system by enhancing an early warning system centered on overseas diplomatic missions.

Regarding Japan, he stated that he will build a future cooperative relationship based on a correct understanding of history and shared interests and values, promote trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, and with China, realize a healthy and mature era of cooperation based on mutual respect.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.