South Korea’s Lee tells AP he advocates step-by-step approach to North’s nuclear disarmament

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s liberal President Lee Jae Myung is calling for a practical, step-by-step approach to achieve North Korea’s nuclear disarmament, as the North ramps up weapons testing activities despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent push to resume diplomacy. “To change the direction of a moving vehicle, it must be brought to a halt first,” Lee told The Associated Press in written responses to questions before his departure Monday to New York to attend the U.N.

“A phased approach of stop, reduction and dismantlement is a practical way of effectively resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.” Prospects for North Korea’s early return to nuclear diplomacy are still unclear. Last month, Trump scaled back a major military exercise with South Korea in a conciliatory gesture toward North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who viewed it as an invasion rehearsal. But North Korea quickly rebuffed Trump’s moves and escalated weapons tests.

Lee advocates phased steps for North Korea’s nuclear disarmament North Korea’s evolving nuclear program has raised questions about whether its nuclear disarmament can be achieved in a single step and given rise to calls for convincing North Korea to disarm in phases in return for corresponding economic and political benefits. Trump claimed last month that North Korea has 57 nuclear weapons, while some experts say the North has more than 100 warheads. “Given the extent to which North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities have advanced, it is not a realistic solution to wait until complete denuclearization can be achieved all at once,” Lee said.

“This is because, in the interim, North Korea’s nuclear capabilities will continue to advance, escalating the threat.” During the annual U.N. gathering, Lee said he would pursue “a phased and pragmatic solution to the North Korean nuclear issue” and build on his vision for promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula. Lee cited his recent offer for talks among concerned parties to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War, through which he said ways to curb North Korea’s nuclear program could be explored.

There are concerns that a phased approach could eventually result in North Korea refusing to fully abandon its nuclear program after winning what it wants — like sanctions relief — in return for a partial surrender of its capability. President Donald Trump's recent push to resume diplomacy.“To change the direction of a moving vehicle, it must be brought to a halt first,” Lee told The Associated Press in written responses to questions before his departure Monday to New York to attend the U.N.