Lee reaches out to Kim Jong Un
Source: Agencies |
January 3, 2012, Tuesday
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SOUTH Korea's president urged North Korea yesterday to embrace a "new era" by using its recent leadership change as an opportunity to transform Korean ties, as Seoul signaled its willingness to work with Pyongyang's new leader.
Lee Myung-bak is reaching out to Kim Jong Un as he takes power as supreme commander of North Korea's military and ruling party leader after his father's death last month. Lee, however, also warned that Seoul would respond sternly to any North Korean provocations.
In a nationally televised speech, Lee said Kim Jong Il's death is "portending a sea change" for the Korean Peninsula. "If North Korea comes forward with a sincere attitude, it will be possible for us to work together to open a new era."
North Korea said last week that it would never deal with Lee, but Kim Jong Un's rise could offer a chance to improve ties that have suffered since Lee took office in 2008 and ended a no-strings-attached aid policy toward North Korea.
The young Kim had a brief meeting in Pyongyang late last month with a former South Korean first lady and a business leader who were leading private mourning delegations.
Lee said the Korean Peninsula is at a turning point and "new opportunities always emerge amid such changes."
However, he also said Seoul would "maintain a watertight defense posture" to deal with the possibility of North Korean provocations. "If any aggression occurs, we will strongly respond," he said.
"We are ready to resolve security concerns on the Korean Peninsula and provide assistance to revive North Korea's economy through agreements in the six-nation talks," Lee said.
Although North Korea has left open the possibility of better ties with South Korea, it hasn't tempered its antagonism toward Lee. Yesterday, it took him to task over temporarily placing his troops on high alert after Kim Jong Il's death.
The Rodong Sinmun newspaper said Lee must "kneel down and apologize."
Meanwhile, North Korea's state TV showed footage of Kim Jong Un dressed in a dark overcoat and laughing with officers as soldiers applauded during a field inspection on Sunday. State TV also played a song widely associated with Kim Jong Un - "Footsteps," a reference to his carrying out his family's legacy.
Lee Myung-bak is reaching out to Kim Jong Un as he takes power as supreme commander of North Korea's military and ruling party leader after his father's death last month. Lee, however, also warned that Seoul would respond sternly to any North Korean provocations.
In a nationally televised speech, Lee said Kim Jong Il's death is "portending a sea change" for the Korean Peninsula. "If North Korea comes forward with a sincere attitude, it will be possible for us to work together to open a new era."
North Korea said last week that it would never deal with Lee, but Kim Jong Un's rise could offer a chance to improve ties that have suffered since Lee took office in 2008 and ended a no-strings-attached aid policy toward North Korea.
The young Kim had a brief meeting in Pyongyang late last month with a former South Korean first lady and a business leader who were leading private mourning delegations.
Lee said the Korean Peninsula is at a turning point and "new opportunities always emerge amid such changes."
However, he also said Seoul would "maintain a watertight defense posture" to deal with the possibility of North Korean provocations. "If any aggression occurs, we will strongly respond," he said.
"We are ready to resolve security concerns on the Korean Peninsula and provide assistance to revive North Korea's economy through agreements in the six-nation talks," Lee said.
Although North Korea has left open the possibility of better ties with South Korea, it hasn't tempered its antagonism toward Lee. Yesterday, it took him to task over temporarily placing his troops on high alert after Kim Jong Il's death.
The Rodong Sinmun newspaper said Lee must "kneel down and apologize."
Meanwhile, North Korea's state TV showed footage of Kim Jong Un dressed in a dark overcoat and laughing with officers as soldiers applauded during a field inspection on Sunday. State TV also played a song widely associated with Kim Jong Un - "Footsteps," a reference to his carrying out his family's legacy.
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