(3rd LD) FM Cho stresses Seoul’s ‘wholistic’ approach to encourage N. Korea’s return to denuclearization path

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul has highlighted Seoul's "wholistic" approach employing "deterrence, dissuasion and dialogue" to encourage North Korea's return to a denuclearization track, the foreign ministry said Wednesday. Cho outlined the approach during his meeting with key researchers at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington on Tuesday. He was in the U.S. capital for various engagements, including talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken set for Wednesday. "On the Korean Peninsula level, (South Korea) will foster an environment to encourage North Korea's return to a denuclearization path through a wholistic approach of deterrence, dissuasion and dialogue," Cho was quoted by the ministry as saying. Cho stressed that South Korea continues to leave the door open for dialogue with the North through its "audacious" initiative to help the impoverished state improve its economy in return for denuclearization steps. He also underlined South Korea's push for a diploma tic strategy based on a "global comprehensive strategic alliance" with the United States, according to the ministry. The minister noted that during his planned talks with Blinken, the two sides will check follow-up measures to last year's bilateral summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden, and explore ways to expand mutual prosperity and demonstrate a "strong" alliance buttressed by the "alignment of the two countries' visions, values and interests." Participants from the think tank noted the need to strengthen cooperation between Seoul and Washington against the possibility of North Korea using nuclear weapons in a limited manner. Also on Tuesday, Cho had a meeting with representatives from a series of companies, including Google, Pfizer and Citibank, where he called for them to expand their investment in Korea. "While saying that our government is making efforts to ensure that South Korea can be evaluated as the world's best country for business operations, Minister Cho reques ted that U.S. companies more actively expand investment in South Korea," the ministry said in a press release. Noting that as allies, South Korea and the United States face shared security and economic threats, Cho stressed the importance of cooperation among their governments and companies to ensure stability in supply chains and maximize economic opportunities, according to the ministry. He also called for U.S. companies' support as Seoul is preparing to host international forums, namely the Summit for Democracy next month and the AI Safety Summit in May -- in what he said represents South Korea's active efforts to help form new international norms and safeguard the rules-based international order. Atul Keshap, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, was among the participants. He called for the South Korean government's continued interest to ensure that companies of both countries can make more investment to contribute to creating good jobs and promoting economic growth, according to the ministry. Source: Yonhap News Agency