Seoul calls for resuming US-North Korea talks backed by deterrence — Korea Herald
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back called for the resumption of talks between the United States and North Korea at the Seoul Defense Dialogue. He said the South Korean military would support diplomatic efforts through high combat readiness and deterrence, Korea Herald reports.
Talks and deterrence
Ahn Gyu-back expressed hope for a new meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In his view, the resumption of dialogue could affect both security on the Korean Peninsula and global security.
The minister also noted that talks between Washington and Pyongyang should eventually open the way for restoring inter-Korean dialogue. This comes despite North Korea's steps aimed at severing ties with South Korea.
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Measures to reduce tensions
Seoul has already dismantled loudspeakers at the border and is preparing to resume work to recover remains near White Horse Hill. These steps are part of efforts to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Ahn Gyu-back stressed the need to combine military strength with dialogue: he called deterrence without dialogue dangerous, and dialogue without deterrence vulnerable. About 1,000 officials and experts from 67 countries and international organizations took part in the Seoul Defense Dialogue. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi did not attend the forum following his August 15 visit to Yasukuni Shrine.
