S. Korea to devise 'phased denuclearization' strategy for N. Korea: FM Cho

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Monday that South Korea will craft a "phased denuclearization" strategy for North Korea, moving in sequence from "freeze to reduction to dismantlement," and seek inter-Korean dialogue in parallel with nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington. Cho made the remarks at the start of a parliamentary session on foreign affairs and unification issues, stressing that these plans will be carried out in close coordination with the United States. "Based on close coordination between the two countries, we will create conditions for dialogue on North Korean nuclear issues and seek to resume inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. talks," Cho said in the opening remarks. "Based on this, we will develop a phased denuclearization strategy and implementation plans, moving from freeze to reduction to dismantlement. Should dialogue advance, we will pursue inter-Korean talks and North Korea-U.S. (nuclear) negotiations in parallel," he said. Cho said in that way, the government hopes to create conditions in which the denuclearization process and establishing peace on the KoreanWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times