France on North Korea

[Anchor Lead]

The South Korean and French governments have denounced North Korea's continued nuclear threats in the strongest terms. France also committed to continue efforts toward the swift adoption of unilateral sanctions on North Korea by the European Union.

[Pkg]

France was the first foreign nation with which the Seoul government engaged in diplomatic cooperation in the new year in response to North Korea's nuclear issue. Following the Brexit vote, France is the only permanent European member of the UN Security Council. It's also known for its hard-line stance on sanctions against North Korea. The two governments held high level talks and issued a joint statement denouncing in the strongest terms North Korea's continued provocations, including leader Kim Jong-un's threat in his New Year's address to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile.

[Soundbite] Kim Hong-kyun(Korean Peninsula Peace & Security Affairs) : "We agreed to hold close discussions to step up global diplomatic pressure on North Korea over its human rights and diplomatic isolation."

France also committed to continued efforts for the swift adoption of independent measures by the EU regarding sanctions on North Korea. A South Korean official noted that Seoul and Paris also discussed ways to capitalize on the considerable influence France has in African nations which maintain favorable relations with North Korea. The official said that such measures could help maximize Pyongyang's diplomatic isolation. The French government is also monitoring the North's representative office stationed in the country and staffed by some ten officials, employing stricter standards. Seoul's diplomacy with France and the EU is assessed to have laid the groundwork for maintaining the international community's stance regarding North Korea sanctions.