NAS Park Byung-seok: I have no intention or ability to absorb and unify North Korea

National Assembly Speaker Park Byung-seok met with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löven on the 29th and said, we want peace, and we have no intention or ability to absorb and unify North Korea. This is President Moon Jae-in's thoughts and my thoughts as the chairman of the National Assembly. We have a willingness to turn the (South-North) armistice system into an end-of-war regime. President Moon recently spoke in that sense at a videoconference at the United Nations, and I also proposed a parliamentary meeting between the two Koreas.

Park, who is on an official visit to Sweden, and asked Prime Minister Loeben to pass on our sincerity to North Korea when there is an opportunity.

Prime Minister Loeben said, it is difficult for Swedish envoy Kent Hashtedt to visit North Korea, and dialogue is difficult for a while. It is desirable to continue doing the same as the chairman's proposal without interruption. I fully support the efforts that Korea makes for peace on the Korean Peninsula and emphasized that Sweden also has a strong will for permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Regarding the Covid-19 infection, Chairman Park suggested, Let's try to overcome Covid-19 by working together in early vaccine development.

Prime Minister Loeben said, It is time for the whole world to make a wider effort together, not just for the covid-19. I spoke with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and we all agree with this initiative.