North Korean Threat

[Anchor Lead]

President Moon Jae-in has convened and presided over his first National Security Council meeting since taking office. He gathered relevant officials after North Korea sent a flurry of missiles into the East Sea. And the president condemned Pyongyang's consistent provocations -- vowing that he will make no compromises on national security and public safety.

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Presiding over the first National Security Council general meeting since taking office, President Moon Jae-in stressed that the only things Pyongyang can gain through its provocations are international isolation and economic difficulties.

[Soundbite] Pres. Moon Jae-in : "As I said before, our government will not back off or make compromises when it comes to national security and public safety."

The president reaffirmed that as long as the North goes ahead with its provocations, the international community will faithfully implement sanctions against the regime and continue to pressure it. President Moon said he would soon visit the United States to further bolster the bilateral alliance. However, he said that he is willing to use dialogue for the complete dismantlement of the North's nuclear program, and urged Pyongyang to stop its nuclear and missile provocations and walk the path of denuclearization.

[Soundbite] Pres. Moon Jae-in : "If Pyongyang shows its willingness to denuclearize, we will be the first to help it receive support and cooperation from the international community."

President Moon urged his cabinet to keep national security strong while also devising more creative and fundamental solutions to the North Korea nuclear issue.