S. Korea regrets DPRK quitting six-party talks
The South Korean government on Tuesday expressed regret over the DPRK's declaration of not returning to the six-party talks.
"The South Korean government is deeply concerned that the DPRK earlier in the day denunciated the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)'s presidential statement on the nation's rocket launch," Foreign Ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said in an official statement.
"The government is also worried that the DPRK insists on space exploration, plans to withdraw from the six-party talks, and pursues nuclear facility restoration," Moon said.
He said the government calls on the DPRK to resume the six-party talks as the recent UNSC statement reflected a unanimous opinion of the international community.
The South Korean government, while closely working with its allies, will continue its diplomatic efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, which would lead to the peace and stability of the region, Moon said.
The UN Security Council on Monday adopted a non-binding presidential statement, saying the April 5 launch by the DPRK is "in contravention of Security Council Resolution 1718" and urging the early resumption of the six-party talks.
The DPRK Foreign Ministry refuted the statement on Tuesday morning. It also said the country would not participate in the six-party talks any longer and would bolster its deterrent for self-defence.