SEOUL, June 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Saturday his government will not make any compromise in the face of North Korea's heightened threats following its second nuclear test.
"I would like to make it clear that there will be no compromise against things that threaten our people and security," Lee said in a speech marking Memorial Day. "North Korea is threatening the peace and safety of our people as well as the world by conducting a nuclear test and launching missiles."
Lee's stern message comes as the United Nations Security Council as well as South Korea and Japan were negotiating possible sanctions on North Korea for conducting the May 25 nuclear test.
Along with the concerted move, the United States is also reportedly preparing to impose its own financial sanctions against North Korea. "North Korea must keep its promise of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and come back to the six-party and inter-Korean talks," Lee said.
Lee took office in early 2008 and, unlike his two liberal predecessors, adopted a firmer line by linking Seoul's generous aid to the North with progress made in dismantling its nuclear facilities. The move angered North Korea. Since then, inter-Korean relations have deteriorated significantly. |