PM calls for Asia's participation to resolve NK issue for peace

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon gives a keynote speech at the opening of the annual Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan Province, China, Thursday.

By Park Ji-won

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon asked Asian countries to play a role in urging North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula during an annual international forum in China.

“The two Koreas and the United States remain on course for talks. I would like to express my appreciation to China, Japan and Russia for their support and hope they continue to play a meaningful role,” Lee said during a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia held on China's tropical island of Hainan, Thursday.

His speech came following the failed summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi due to their differences on the range of denuclearization and sanctions relief. The government has been making efforts to revive the dialogue as a mediator.

“It is regrettable that the denuclearization talks were deadlocked. But I believe the Korean Peninsula will keep walking toward peace despite a rocky road ahead,” he added.

Lee also called for Asian countries' cooperation in tackling environmental problems, including fine dust.

“I suggest that Asian countries cooperate more smoothly on issues, such as the reduction of fine dust,” Lee said.

Lee and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met on the sidelines of the forum and agreed on sharing experiences and boosting communications with each other to tackle the issue.

South Korea has been suffering from the worst-ever fine dust pollution. Seoul and Beijing are blaming each other for the cause of the deteriorating air quality despite it being believed here that a large amount of the fine dust blows in from China.