President Roh Moo-hyun said Monday that his government will aim steadily at reconciliation and coexistence with North Korea by continuing to engage the communist state.
The two Koreas have achieved considerable progress in bilateral relations and deepened trust, setting the stage for a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of a multilateral security framework for Northeast Asia, Roh told the annual gathering of Korean War veterans at a Seoul hotel.
The meeting was organized to help commemorate the 57th anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War.
"Confrontations and hostility are not helpful to cross-border reconciliation, cooperation and dialogue. North Korea has to be recognized and engaged," said the president.
"To that end, hostility and hatred should be eliminated."
Roh said the Korean Peninsula has been clearly put on the path to peace, Referring to the North Korean nuclear problem,
"North Korea's denuclearization pledge made in February will become an important milestone leading to permanent peace on the peninsula and a multilateral security structure for Northeast Asia," said the president.
"Sustained peace on the peninsula would eventually make possible an overland road trip from South Korea to the North, China and Russia, opening a new horizon for the Korean economy."
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