Anchor: In his keynote speech at the UN General Assembly, President Moon Jae-in called for a peaceful resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue even as he criticized Pyongyang for its provocations. Moon called on the international community to thoroughly implement UN Security Council sanctions against the North. 
Kim In-kyung has more. 
 
Report: President Moon Jae-in urged North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons and seek dialogue in a keynote speech at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday. 
 
The president called for a peaceful resolution to the nuclear issue even as he criticized the North for its provocations, saying the situation should be "managed stably" to prevent a spike in tensions and military clashes. 
 
[Sound bite: President Moon Jae-in (Korean)]
"We should all remind ourselves of what former U.S. President Ronald Reagan said: 'Peace is not absence of conflict. It is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means'."
 
Still, he called on the international community to deal with North Korea strongly and firmly until the regime gives up its nuclear program.
 
The South Korean president emphasized that all nations need to thoroughly implement the UN Security Council(UNSC) resolutions on Pyongyang, urging them to come up with new, corresponding sanctions in case of additional provocations by the North.
 
He said the country disappointed and angered the international community by pushing ahead with its sixth nuclear test and ballistic missile launches in defiance of repeated warnings.
 
[Sound bite: President Moon Jae-in (Korean)]
"North Korea should acknowledge all these facts as soon as possible. It must immediately cease making reckless choices that could lead to its own isolation and downfall and choose the path of dialogue."
 
Moon said that despite the North’s blatant violations of international obligations and its own promises, the South Korean government and the international community are doing their utmost to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue in a peaceful manner. 
 
He assured that the South does not want the collapse of the North, nor will it seek unification through the absorption of the North. 
 
[Sound bite: President Moon Jae-in (Korean)]
"We do not desire the collapse of North Korea. We will not seek reunification by aggressions or by artificial means. If North Korea makes the decision even now to stand on the right side of history we are ready to assist North Korea together with the international community."
 
The president once again said that Seoul will welcome Pyongyang's participation in the 2018 Winter Olympics opening in Pyeongchang, South Korea in February. He said the South Korean government and the International Olympic Committee will do their best to realize the North's participation. 
Kim In-kyung, KBS World Radio News. 

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