Kwon Young-se "North Korea's Provocations Only Deepen Hardship... Will Engage in Mutually Beneficial Talks if They Come Forward"

'Bold Vision' First Public Seminar Opening Remarks
"Including North Korea Concerns on the Table for Discussion"

Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se warned North Korea, which is escalating military tensions including the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), saying, "Provocations will only deepen isolation and poverty." He also proposed that if North Korea shows willingness for denuclearization and responds to the 'Bold Initiative,' they would put even the issues North Korea is concerned about on the table and engage in mutually beneficial negotiations.

On the 21st, Minister Kwon delivered the opening remarks at the 'Public Seminar for the Implementation of the Bold Initiative,' hosted by the Ministry of Unification at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, stating, "If asked what makes the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's Bold Initiative different, it is that it combines the strengths of conservative policies that emphasize principles and progressive policies that highlight flexibility, developing them into a complete form."

He continued, "The Bold Initiative is a very comprehensive policy with an emphasis on feasibility," and stressed, "If North Korea comes to denuclearization talks, we can put even the issues the North is concerned about on the table and engage in mutually beneficial negotiations."

Regarding North Korea's recent successive provocations, including the ICBM launch, he warned, "The current heightened security concerns on the Korean Peninsula benefit neither South Korea nor North Korea," adding, "It will only deepen North Korea's isolation and poverty, and the future of North Korea will become even darker."

Minister Kwon emphasized, "We will strengthen deterrence and effective sanctions based on the strong ROK-U.S. alliance and international community solidarity," but reaffirmed the position that if North Korea responds to the Bold Initiative, "we will boldly pursue economic cooperation as well as diplomatic measures and corresponding political and military actions."

Addressing some opinions that North Korea's denuclearization might be impossible, he insisted, "As long as we and the international community unite based on universal values and maintain a consistent direction to contribute to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and the world, denuclearization of North Korea can be achieved."

Minister Kwon announced that starting with this public seminar, he plans to further specify and develop the Bold Initiative by incorporating diverse opinions from various experts, the public, and the international community.

He said, "I once again urge responsible authorities from both South and North Korea to start dialogue, overcome the current situation, and develop inter-Korean relations," adding, "I hope North Korea will come to the dialogue table, and I will go anywhere, anytime, and in any form of dialogue if North Korea wishes."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification published explanatory materials on the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's unification and North Korea policies on the same day. The materials include political and military measures following North Korea's return to denuclearization talks and a phased implementation plan, as well as detailed contents of the Bold Initiative.

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