South Korea Rejects Nuclear Arms as Xi Begins North Korea Visit

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Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday that Seoul must continue pursuing the denuclearisation of North Korea and should not consider developing its own nuclear weapons, warning that such a move could trigger a regional arms race.

Speaking at a press conference marking his first year in office, Lee said South Korea could not abandon the goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. He argued that any attempt by Seoul to acquire atomic weapons would likely prompt neighbouring countries, including Japan and Taiwan, to follow suit.

Lee also warned that South Korea's export-dependent economy would struggle to withstand the international sanctions that could result from violating global non-proliferation rules.

"We simply cannot afford to become like North Korea," Lee said, adding that South Korea would not be able to survive under the kind of sanctions imposed on Pyongyang.

The president suggested that future engagement with North Korea should focus on achievable short term objectives, including securing a halt to the production of additional nuclear materials.

Lee's remarks came as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang for a two-day visit, his first overseas trip of the year. The visit takes place amid stalled nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the United States and growing debate over the future of denuclearisation efforts on the Korean Peninsula.

Ahead of Xi's arrival, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reiterated that the country's nuclear weapons programme remains non-negotiable, describing it as a 'line of no retreat.'

Pic Credit: AFP