DFA hoping peace talks between 2 Koreas will lead to denuclearization

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano (INQUIRER.net file photo)

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has expressed hope that the peace talks between North Korea and South Korea would result in the denuclearization as well as peace and stability in Korean Peninsula.

The South Korean Unification Ministry announced on Friday that Pyongyang accepted Seoul’s proposal to hold official talks on January 9.

In a statement on Friday, DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano called the peace talks as the first step toward a meaningful dialogue that would lead to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.

“The Philippines is hoping that the decision of the DPRK to resume official talks with the Republic of Korea would lead to meaningful progress in efforts to achieve not only the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula but also peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the rest of the Asia-Pacific,” Cayetano said.

“The Philippines has consistently spoken out in the strongest possible terms against the nuclear weapons and ballistic missile tests and development of North Korea. It has consistently underscored the need for North Korea to abide by prevailing UN Security Council Resolutions,” the DFA chief said.

North Korea’s willingness to engage in talks, Cayetano said, was attributed to the decision of the United States and South Korea to hold off their military exercises.

“The decision of Washington and Seoul to delay scheduled annual military exercises also contributed to the lowering of tensions that helped open the door for the resumption of official talks between both countries,” he said.

The Philippine government was also ready to play a role in pushing for peace in the Korean Peninsula, Cayetano said.

“The Philippines has constantly advocated for a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the situation in the Korean Peninsula, and we encourage both countries to continue taking concrete efforts towards this end,” he said. /jpv

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