MOSCOW. March 12 (Interfax) - Seoul stands ready to take reciprocal steps if North Korea's denuclearization becomes irreversible, and the lifting of the sanctions on Pyongyang depends on progress in the denuclearization process, South Korean Ambassador to Russia Woo Yoon-keun said on Tuesday.
"In response to resolute steps taken by the DPRK, we may consider possible reciprocal measures. For the UN Security Council's sanctions to be eased, it is necessary to at least obtain the conclusion that the DPRK's denuclearization has reached a stage of irreversibility, and this requires a consensus and the confidence of the international community," Woo said in an interview with Russian news agencies.
Woo referred to South Korean President Moon Jae-in's statement that, "Ultimately, the easing of the sanctions on the DPRK follows the pace of North Korea's denuclearization, and therefore, for the soonest possible resolution of the DPRK sanction issue, it is essential that North Korea takes more tangible measures toward denuclearization."
Asked whether the format of six-party talks might be resumed, Woo said this also depends on progress in the process of North Korea's denuclearization.
"I believe discussing the organization of dialogues in various formats, including a format involving the South and the North, the U.S., China, and Russia, is possible in the future," he said.