South Korea and the United States remain unchanged in their commitment to denuclearizing North Korea, the foreign ministry said Tuesday, after no mention of the issue in the Democratic Party’s new policy platform raised question about its North Korea policy.

On Sunday, the party unveiled the proposed platform that included a renewed commitment to “stand by especially South Korea, against North Korea’s provocations,” but fell short of touching on the long-elusive denuclearization goal.

It stood in contrast with the 2020 platform that stated a pledge to build a “sustained, coordinated diplomatic campaign to advance the longer-term goal of denuclearization.”

“The international community’s commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea, including that of South Korea and the United States, is firm,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a press briefing.

The government will continue to make efforts for North Korea’s denuclearization through the approach of “deterrence, dissuasion and diplomat
ic dialogue,” Lee said.

“Regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, we will continue to maintain close communication and coordination with the U.S. on North Korea-related policies and its nuclear issues,” he said.

A foreign ministry official said that a party platform tends to cover broad areas in general, rather than addressing specific issues in detail.

“We understand that the platform will further take shape based on the consultations the U.S. will have with major countries after the election,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Source: Yonhap News Agency