Agence France-Presse,
SEOUL: South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun proposed Friday that the six-nation disarmament talks forum should be transformed into a permanent regional security body.
“The new forum should permanently function as a multilateral security cooperation body by playing a role in arms control and dispute arbitration,” Roh told a peace forum on the southern resort island of Jeju.
South Korean officials say six-party talks involving the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia have played a key role in reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Roh also called for an economic bloc in Northeast Asia.
“The confrontational order in Northeast Asia should be terminated, giving way to the new order of mutual respect, cooperation and coexistence,” he said.
He said South Korea would hold fast to its engagement policy towards North Korea.
“Despite missile and nuclear tensions, South Korea has to persuade North Korea and build up trust with maximum tolerance and patience,” he said.
