Seoul Urges Pyongyang to Be More Open in Nuclear Talks
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Minister of Unification Hyun In-taek said Wednesday that South and North Korea should discuss the North Korea nuclear issue with "open minds."
His remarks came after President Lee Myung-bak said early this month that an inter-Korean summit would mean nothing if no progress is made in resolving the nuclear problem.
"The government is trying to head for a future based on improved inter-Korean relations," Hyun said at a seminar in Seoul. "The first step is a sincere inter-Korean dialogue. Through it, we have to get rid of any mutual distrust and build trust instead."
The minister continued that the two Koreas must get past the nuclear hurdle so that they can start to cooperate.
President Lee said that if an inter-Korean summit takes place, the nuclear issue should be put on the table.
"Unless there is progress (regarding the nuclear issue) in the summit, that meeting would be meaningless," Lee said.
His aides said that what Lee wanted to note was that he would not meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-il if no progress is made in denuclearization of the North or the abduction issue.
"The President remains firm on the stance," an aide said. "Nothing has yet to be determined but when to hold an inter-Korean summit is totally up to North Korea."
In an interview with the BBC last month, Lee said, "I can't say for sure it will be held soon but I think I can meet (Kim Jong-il) within this year."