South Korea, Russia Cooperate to Resolve North Korean Nuclear Issue

Seoul and Moscow continue cooperation on the Pyongyang's nuclear issue, and South Korea expects Russia's constructive role in this regard, South Korean ambassador to Russia, Park Ro-byug, told Sputnik.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — In 2003, Pyongyang suddenly withdrew from the international Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a deal that was intended to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons manufacture and possible use.

Following Pyongyang's withdrawal, the so-called Six-Party Talks were launched in 2003 to ease the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons program through negotiations involving Russia, China, the United States, North and South Korea, and Japan.

"ROK [the Republic of Korea] and Russia continue cooperation on the North Korean nuclear issue. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the initiator of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Russia is making every effort to solve the North Korean nuclear issue through the Six-Party talks. We are expecting that Russia will continue to play a constructive role in this regard," the ambassador said.

Moscow and Seoul continue to uphold a commitment to prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, and seek always to maintain peace, stability and cooperation in Eurasia, Park said.

The two countries are discussing cooperation, and restating existing ties "based on the principles of mutual understanding and respect," the diplomat observed.

In 2005, North Korea declared itself a nuclear power, and conducted several nuclear weapon tests, sparking concerns in the international community. Almost four years later, Pyongyang tested additional nuclear weapons and, without warning, walked out of the Six-Party Talks. North Korea's actions offer some to speculate the country does not intend to maintain a defensive posture.