▲ Kim Gunn (R), South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, and Jung Pak, the U.S. deputy special representative for North Korea, shake hands ahead of their meeting in Seoul on Dec. 11, 2023, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

S Korea-US-nuke envoys

Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, U.S. discuss N. Korean issues

SEOUL, Dec. 11 (Yonhap) -- The nuclear envoys of South Korea and the United States held talks Monday to discuss North Korean issues, including its spy satellite launch, and called on Pyongyang to return to dialogue, the foreign ministry said.

The meeting between Kim Gunn, South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, and Jung Pak, the U.S. deputy special representative for North Korea, came as Pak visited Seoul.

In the meeting, the envoys agreed to lead international efforts to sternly respond to any provocations by North Korea, including its possible launch of more military spy satellites, on the back of overwhelming and powerful deterrence, the ministry said.

After claiming it successfully launched a space rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite last month, the North has vowed to launch more spy satellites in a short span of time.

They also urged Pyongyang to respond to calls for dialogue and diplomacy with Seoul and Washington, warning that beefing up its military strength will destroy its economy and prove to be unhelpful for its safety and development, according to the ministry.

The envoys reaffirmed efforts to deter North Korea's cyber threats as well as other activities, such as military cooperation with the recalcitrant regime, banned under United Nations sanctions resolutions, it added.

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