MOSCOW. Sept 18 (Interfax) - The United Nations Security Council's sanctions on North Korea may be eased only after North Korea's denuclearization becomes irreversible, South Korean Ambassador to Russia Lee Sok-bae said.
"For the UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea to be eased, at least a conclusion should be made that the North Korea denuclearization process has entered an irreversible stage. Seeking to persuade North Korea that the denuclearization measures are the right choice, the government of the Republic of Korea plans to continue diplomatic efforts for North Korea to be able to make progress in its denuclearization," Lee said in an interview with Russian news agencies.
For the sanctions to be eased, "North Korea should resolutely make tangible steps toward its denuclearization," he said.
"I would like to stress once again that we should apply diplomatic efforts for resuming negotiations between North Korea and the United States. And I am sure Moscow shares this understanding, too," Lee said.