President Moon Jae-in spent 20 minutes on the phone Tuesday with New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English, mainly discussing the issue of North Korea's nuclear weapons.

The president reassured the prime minister South Korea would cooperate with the international community to maintain strong pressure and sanctions against the North to deal with the North's weapons programs, which is described as a threat to the Korean Peninsula and the world.

However, Moon stressed that the ultimate goal of the sanctions and pressure is to bring the North to the negotiating table and that his government will use dialogue as well as pressure.

The New Zealand prime minister responded by offering support to Seoul’s efforts on this urgent matter, and said his country is encouraged by the united front displayed by South Korea, the U.S. and China towards North Korea.

[Photo : ]