Unification Spokesperson’s Commentary regarding North Korea’s New Year Address
January 1, 2017
- The R.O.K. government strongly condemns North Korea for threatening the South by mentioning its ‘last stage of preparation for the intercontinental ballistic missile launch’ and ‘increase in military and preemptive striking capabilities with a main emphasis on nuclear force.’
- It is deeply regrettable that the North continues to shift the responsibility of the strained inter-Korean relations to the South, and conduct political maneuver, including the slander and criticism of our Head of State and intervening in our internal issues. We urge the North to immediately suspend such behavior.
- The R.O.K. government and the international community are firm on the position that North Korea’s nuclear development cannot be tolerated. We once again warn that the North will face tougher sanctions and pressure if it continues to focus on its nuclear development.
- If North Korea wants peace on the Korean Peninsula and improvement in inter-Korean relations, it should take a path towards denuclearization with sincerity.
* unofficial translation
