No hostile intention toward North Korea, South Korea says

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - South Korea has "no hostile or confrontational intent toward North Korea," the presidential office said on Tuesday, suggesting that it will continue to pursue rapprochement with the North.

"We have no hostile or confrontational intent toward the North," said spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. She added, "We will continue working to ease inter-Korean tensions and restore trust between the two Koreas."

The remarks came just hours after North Korea harshly denounced a joint fact sheet detailing trade and security agreements between Seoul and Washington, which was released last week after the two countries finalized a tariff-related deal during U.S. President Donald Trump's visit here late last month.

Kang stressed that South Korea's security cooperation with the U.S. is aimed at strengthening peace and security on the Korean Peninsula while protecting national interests.

Earlier in the day, the state-run [North] Korean Central News Agency criticized the fact sheet, claiming that it reveals a "confrontational stance" and vowing to take countermeasures.

* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.