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S. Korea expects China’s ‘constructive role’ on N. Korea: ministry

October 19, 2015

South Korean President Park Geun-hye answers questions during a joint news conference with President Barack Obama in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — South Korea will redouble efforts to prod China into playing a “constructive role” in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, capitalizing on the outcome of the summit talks between President Park Geun-hye and her U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, the Foreign Ministry said Monday.

In a policy report to lawmakers, the ministry reaffirmed a two-pronged approach by Seoul and Washington toward Pyongyang — tough pressure and incentives for dialogue.

Park and Obama agreed in their summit last week to get tough on the North if it stays away from denuclearization talks.

The allies also plan to “intensify high-level strategic consultations to create a favorable environment for the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula,” according to a joint statement.

“On the basis of South Korea-U.S. cooperation, (we) will constantly elicit China’s constructive role,” said the ministry.

China is the host to the now-suspended six-party talks on the North’s nuclear program. Beijing has more influence on Pyongyang than any other nation.

On relations with Japan, it said the Park administration will continue to push for addressing history disputes.

“With regard to the issue of comfort women for Japanese troops, in particular, (we) will step up efforts to complete consultations between the two countries,” it said. South Korea has placed a top priority on the matter.

Many Korean women were forced to serve as sex slaves for the Japanese military during World War II. South Korea is pressing Japan to offer a sincere apology and compensation for victims.

Seoul and Tokyo held several rounds of director general-level talks on the issue but failed to reach an agreement.