Visiting German minister criticizes N. K.`s nuclear ambition

Germany`s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday directly criticized North Korea`s policy of pursuing both nuclear and economic development, saying that the North cannot develop its economy and maintain friendly relations with neighboring countries while holding on to its nuclear weapons.

He made the remark during a joint news conference in Seoul with his South Korean counterpart, Yoon Byung-se. "I believe that the resistance from North Korea’s traditional allies on the (vision of) unification of the Korea Peninsula is not strong as it was before," he said, adding that Pyongyang’s nuclear program had made the communist regime increasingly isolated in the international community. His comment suggests that the environment has changed so much that it is possible to publicly discuss the reunification issue.

Regarding the prospect for the United Nations` adoption of the European Union-led resolution on the North`s human rights situation, the German foreign minister said that the international body is ready to discuss human rights situations in any country when necessary.

After the news conference, Steinmeier met with President Park Geun-hye at her office Cheong Wa Dae. The South Korean president told him that Seoul and Berlin have a unique relationship and share the experiences of national division and rapid economic development. "When our country was going through difficult times, Germany`s experiences became valuable foundation for (Seoul`s) economic development," President Park said.

Steinmeier arrived in Seoul earlier in the day for a two-day visit to launch a joint advisory panel on reunification. The panel has been set up following a bilateral agreement reached between President Park and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in September to share the German reunification experiences with South Korea.