The authorities of South Korea have emphasized this Friday that "direct dialogue" between the United States and North Korea is "crucial" to resolve the nuclear issue and "put an end to the" North Korean atomic program, in a context of growing concern over a possible rapprochement between the White House and Pyongyang.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification has pointed out that "at this very moment, North Korea is strengthening its nuclear capabilities," while lamenting that contacts between the two Koreas remain "stalled" at present, according to information released by the Yonhap agency.
The representative has raised: "What motivation exists to drive this, aside from the resumption of dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang?", before stressing that doubts about a possible thaw "overlook the practical reality" behind the situation on the peninsula.
In this line, he has pointed out that the latest movements "could mean a radical change." "This dialogue could lead to a major plan to replace the current unstable armistice system on the peninsula with a more stable and lasting peace regime," he added.
He has recalled that South Korea and North Korea remain technically at war, as the conflict that unfolded between 1950 and 1953 ended with an armistice and not with a definitive peace treaty.
For this reason, he has insisted that "a fundamental principle to become a normal country is to treat the other party with consideration and respect" and has urged Pyongyang to participate in the search for a solution that is beneficial for both sides.