The office of South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Wednesday that the North Korean missile problem should be resolved by "diplomatic and political means," rather than by force.
"The South Korean government intends to resolve the North Korean missile problem in a manner that does not create fresh tension on the Korean Peninsula. We'll strongly protest within the framework of dialogue," Roh's office Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.
"Intensifying pressures on North Korea and heightening tensions (on the peninsula) are not helpful to resolving the missile problems. Effects from such coercive methods are questionable in consideration of the related countries' positions," the press statement said.
It noted that Cheong Wa Dae's position on the missile issue was determined at a meeting of security-related ministers presided over by President Roh on Wednesday morning.
The statement went on to stress that North Korea should be led to return to the dialogue table, while the related countries should cope with the issue in a cold-hearted and diplomatic manner.
"North Korea seems to intend to create international controversy. Under such circumstances, a calm and diplomatic approach would be helpful in incapacitating the North's political intentions," said the statement.
Seoul, July 5 (Yonhap News)
President Roh gov't calls for diplomatic solution to N.Korean missile problem |
