Anchor: President Moon Jae-in's pick for his first foreign minister returned to Seoul on Thursday after a long career at the UN. Nominee Kang Kyung-wha said more sanctions are needed to restrain provocations by North Korea, but said Seoul should maintain humanitarian aid.
Our Kim In-kyung has more.
 
Report: Foreign Minister nominee Kang Kyung-wha, previously special advisor on policy to the UN secretary-general, returned to Seoul on Thursday.
 
Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport, Kang said stronger sanctions are needed if North Korea conducts additional provocations.
 
Kang, however, said that humanitarian aid for the North should continue regardless of sanctions.
 
[Sound bite: Foreign minister nominee Kang Kyung-wha (Korean)]
"It is the UN's principle that humanitarian aid for suffering is a universal value of mankind that should be treated separately from political considerations and that's what I believe."
 
She rebuked concerns that she has no experience dealing with North Korea's nuclear program. She said the issue was a frequent agenda at the UN. She also noted that she had a first-hand opportunity to observe the matter while working as a presidential interpreter for three years.
 
She avoided speaking about her daughter's U.S. nationality and registering a false address for her daughter's high school admission. She said she will clarify the issues at a parliamentary hearing, scheduled for some time around mid-June.
 
Kang will prepare for the confirmation hearing at an office near the Foreign Ministry in Seoul.
 
The government plans to expedite preparations for Kang's confirmation hearing. The Foreign Ministry has a slew of diplomatic and security issues lined up, such as the first summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump at the end of next month.
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News. 

[Photo : ]