Seoul says open to talks with North Korea amid political crisis in S.Korea

By Alperen Aktas and Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea Thursday said it was open to talks with North Korea amid a political crisis triggered after martial law was imposed by the impeached President Yook Suk Yeol whose administration had adopted a strict policy on Pyongyang.

"We will actively manage tensions, especially in border areas, to prevent escalation while maintaining an open stance toward inter-Korean dialogue and responding swiftly to changing circumstances," said Acting President Choi Sang-mok.

Since Yoon was suspended over the Dec. 3 martial crisis decree, Choi was appointed as acting president following the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo last month. Han had succeeded Yoon as acting president.

Seoul's openness to talks with Pyongyang appears softening of the approach held by South Korea since Yoon was elected in 2022.

Almost all pacts between the divided Koreas were ended in the past three years.

However, Choi said: "In the event of a provocation, we will prioritize protecting the lives and property of our citizens and deter further provocations with overwhelming measures."

He was addressing the 2025 policy direction meeting on diplomacy and security issues, Yonhap News reported.

Seoul Thursday also reasserted that denuclearizing North Korea remained a "unanimous goal" by the international community.

The statement by the Foreign Ministry came after incoming US President Donald Trump's nominee for top diplomat Marco Rubio suggested a review of Washington's policy on Pyongyang.

During his first term, Trump held three meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Trump has also named Richard Grenall as envoy for a "special mission" on hotspots like North Korea during his second term, which is set to begin coming Monday.