The Unification Ministry has stressed that now is a crucial time to block North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and vowed to place top priority on the North's denuclearization in inter-Korean dialogue.
 
The ministry revealed the stance in a briefing to the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on its operations on Monday.
 
The ministry said that it believes the North’s denuclearization and changes in its attitude are the most pending tasks. It added that it will exert all-out efforts to change the North’s calculations through pressure and sanctions.
 
The ministry said if an inter-Korean dialogue is to be held, the talks must be instrumental toward changes, including the North’s denuclearization. For that to be realized, the ministry said the North must demonstrate denuclearization efforts and real changes through actions.
 
The ministry went on to say that South Korea will work together with the international community in slapping sanctions on the North. It said the South will create an environment in cooperation with the international community to fill loopholes in sanctions so that the North will have no choice but to change its calculations.