“I would like to take this opportunity to express our full support for the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said during a meeting with South Korean President Yoon Seok Yul. “, adding that “this goal is of fundamental importance for us to achieve security, peace and stability in the region.”

President Yong said he was open to diplomacy but also vowed to take strong military action to prevent Pyongyang from using its weapons.

During a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, the UN Secretary-General also pledged to “support diplomatic efforts to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons,” adding that “everything that can be done to start the process of dialogue aimed at denuclearization would be very handy.” It will have the full support of the United Nations.”

North Korea has conducted a record number of missile launches this year, and officials in Seoul and Washington say it “appears to be preparing to test a nuclear weapon for the first time since 2017” amid stalled denuclearization talks.

The Pyongyang authorities also noted that they are open to diplomacy but accuse the US and South Korea of ​​pursuing hostile policies such as imposing sanctions and conducting military exercises.