LEE IN-YOUNG TO PROPOSE MEETING WITH N. KOREA

[Anchor Lead]

Unification Minister Lee In-young says he will propose a meeting to North Korea once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. The goal of the meeting is to discuss relations between Seoul and Pyongyang as well as Pyongyang and Washington following the election of a Democratic president in the U.S. The unification minister says if Pyongyang agrees to meet with Seoul officials, he will do his best to produce an excellent outcome.

[Pkg]

During an interview back in February, Joe Biden criticized Donald Trump's North Korea policies. South Korea's Unification Minister Lee In-young believes Biden's approach has more in common with Seoul's policies regarding Pyongyang.

[Soundbite] LEE IN-YOUNG(MINISTER OF UNIFICATION) : "It seems President-elect Joe Biden left the door open for a possible meeting with the North Korean leader under the condition that Pyongyang scales down its nuclear capabilities. South Korea's peace process policies are also based on that precondition."

The regime carried out military provocations when a new U.S. administration is sworn in. The minister would like to see the North refraining from carrying out such actions.

[Soundbite] LEE IN-YOUNG(MINISTER OF UNIFICATION) : "Instead of using a high-tension approach, I would recommend holding talks in a flexible atmosphere over a bowl of cold noodles, as such a session would be much more productive and rational."

Lee expressed hope the next meeting with North Korea will be under a more peaceful atmosphere rather than military tension. He wants to propose to Pyongyang open and formal talks.

[Soundbite] LEE IN-YOUNG(MINISTER OF UNIFICATION) : "Any venue, any time is fine. If Pyongyang agrees to have a meeting with us, I will do my best to ensure its success. Once the pandemic subsides, I am willing to propose talks to North Korea."

The unification minister highlighted the need for inter-Korean cooperation in developing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. He believes joint COVID-19 response could help both sides find a breakthrough in bilateral exchanges.