17 January,2018 01:20 PM IST | United Nations | Agencies
Antonio Guterres. Pics/ AFP
United Nations: A war with North Korea is avoidable, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, urging direct talks between key powers on dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear program.
Guterres said recent moves by South and North Korea to ease tensions were important, but he added: "let's not forget that the essential problem is yet to be solved." "I believe war is avoidable," Guterres said, but he added: "I am not yet sure that peace is guaranteed."
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The UN chief said his goal was to ensure that "those who are more relevant in this process are able to seriously talk to each other and seriously find a way to denuclearisation."
The US and North Korea have shown little interest in holding direct talks to address the crisis. Presenting his priorities for 2018 to the General Assembly, Guterres said there were "small signs of hope" after North Korea agreed to take part in the Winter Olympics in the South and the re-opening of a military hotline between Pyongyang and Seoul.
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