Mongolian PM condemns N. Korea for its deadly attack on S. Korea

SEOUL, March 25 (Yonhap) -- Mongolian prime minister on Friday condemned North Korea for its deadly attack on a South Korean warship and vowed to make efforts to enhance peace on the divided Korean Peninsula.

Tensions have been lingering on the peninsula following the North's two attacks last year, including the sinking of a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors. The North still adamantly denies its involvement.

The North also shelled a front-line South Korean island in November that killed two soldiers and two civilians, further escalating tensions and worsening inter-Korean ties to their lowest level in decades.

"The Mongolian government strongly censures the act of North Korea's attack" against the warship, Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency.

He is in Seoul for a three-day trip to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Mongolia.

He also expressed hope that regional powers will hold talks and coordinate policies in resolving issues on the peninsula, noting Mongolia will do its best if there is any role to play. He did not elaborate.

Mongolia is not a party to the international talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear weapons programs.

The North has expressed its willingness to rejoin the disarmament talks it walked away from in 2009, but Seoul and Washington demand Pyongyang first demonstrate its denuclearization commitment by action. Seoul also wants Pyongyang to apologize for its two deadly attacks.

The disarmament-for-aid talks also include China, Japan and Russia.

Pyongyang severed diplomatic relations with Mongolia in 1999, but they reportedly reestablished their ties in 2002.

Batbold also talked about the prospects of boosting economic cooperation with South Korea, noting Mongolia has abundant natural resources, including coal, and strong growth potential.

On Thursday, he held talks with his South Korean counterpart and they agreed to expand exchange visits of high-level officials and hold regular talks between their top diplomats. They also agreed to study a free trade deal. No details were given.

Also on Friday, Batbold was to attend the opening ceremony of events for the "Year of Mongolia."

Seoul designated 2011 as the Year of Mongolia and Ulan Bator named 2010 as the "Year of Korea" as part of efforts to boost their relations.

brk@yna.co.kr
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Source:Yonhap, South Korean News Agency