Unification Minister Lee Jae-jeong says that the international community uses sanctions and dialogue to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, but sanctions should not last too long to achieve the desired effect.

Lee recommended dialogue as the most desirable way to establish peace, adding that sanctions themselves cannot be the ultimate goal.

The minister voiced his opinions on resolving the North Korean nuclear standoff for the first time since taking office Monday.

On the six-party nuclear talks resuming in Beijing next week, Lee said that the most important thing is to implement the agreements reached among the parties concerned and work to build trust.