South Korea's New President Offers Economic Help to North
2022-05-11
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1South Korea's new President Yoon Suk-yeol has offered North Korea an economic assistance plan in exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons program.
2Yoon made the offer Tuesday during a speech at his official swearing-in ceremony in Seoul.
3He said his government is ready to work with the international community to present "an audacious plan" to resolve North Korea's nuclear threat.
4Yoon is beginning his five-year term after North Korea launched a series of missile tests in recent months.
5During his campaign, Yoon promised to take a stronger position on North Korea than former president Moon Jae-in.
6Yoon said he wants to strengthen South Korea's 70-year military alliance with the United States.
7And he wants to build up South Korea's own missile program to defend against North Korean threats.
8Yoon presented his speech Tuesday to a crowd gathered outside of parliament.
9"While North Korea's nuclear weapons programs are a threat...the door to dialogue will remain open so that we can peacefully resolve this threat," he said.
10Yoon added that his proposed plan could greatly "strengthen North Korea's economy and improve the quality of life for its people."
11Yoon did not provide many details about the plan.
12But his national security advisor, Kim Sung-han, spoke to Reuters in February.
13Kim said Yoon's team could offer North Korea quick sanctions reduction or economic aid in exchange for denuclearization measures.
14In addition to the recent missile tests, U.S. and South Korean officials have warned that North Korea might be preparing for its first nuclear weapons test since 2017.
15Yoon spoke about South Korea's growing economic problems.
16He said a worsening job market and expanding income inequalities had led to growing political divisions in the country.
17Yoon promised to carry out new policies aimed at improving economic growth to help all citizens.
18After his ceremony, Yoon moved to a new office at a former defense ministry building.
19He held his first meeting with advisors and appointed seven cabinet nominees who had passed confirmation hearings.
20They included the finance and defense ministers.
21I'm Bryan Lynn.
1South Korea's new President Yoon Suk-yeol has offered North Korea an economic assistance plan in exchange for giving up its nuclear weapons program. 2Yoon made the offer Tuesday during a speech at his official swearing-in ceremony in Seoul. He said his government is ready to work with the international community to present "an audacious plan" to resolve North Korea's nuclear threat. 3Yoon is beginning his five-year term after North Korea launched a series of missile tests in recent months. 4During his campaign, Yoon promised to take a stronger position on North Korea than former president Moon Jae-in. Yoon said he wants to strengthen South Korea's 70-year military alliance with the United States. And he wants to build up South Korea's own missile program to defend against North Korean threats. 5Yoon presented his speech Tuesday to a crowd gathered outside of parliament. "While North Korea's nuclear weapons programs are a threat...the door to dialogue will remain open so that we can peacefully resolve this threat," he said. 6Yoon added that his proposed plan could greatly "strengthen North Korea's economy and improve the quality of life for its people." 7Yoon did not provide many details about the plan. But his national security advisor, Kim Sung-han, spoke to Reuters in February. Kim said Yoon's team could offer North Korea quick sanctions reduction or economic aid in exchange for denuclearization measures. 8In addition to the recent missile tests, U.S. and South Korean officials have warned that North Korea might be preparing for its first nuclear weapons test since 2017. 9Yoon spoke about South Korea's growing economic problems. He said a worsening job market and expanding income inequalities had led to growing political divisions in the country. Yoon promised to carry out new policies aimed at improving economic growth to help all citizens. 10After his ceremony, Yoon moved to a new office at a former defense ministry building. He held his first meeting with advisors and appointed seven cabinet nominees who had passed confirmation hearings. They included the finance and defense ministers. 11I'm Bryan Lynn. 12The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. 13____________________________________________________________ 14Words in This Story 15audacious - adj. very bold and shocking 16dialogue - n. formal talks or negotiations 17sanction - n. an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country 18We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.