SEOUL'S STRATEGY ON N. KOREA AMID ELECTION

Welcome to Press Perspective.

It's Tuesday April 15th here in Seoul.

I'm Min Sun-hee.

As South Korea prepares for an early presidential election it also faces as some media outlets point out "critical choices" about its future policy on North Korea.

For more on this reality and on the current efforts to ease tensions on the peninsula I have Ruy Valdes a correspondent for Spanish news agency EFE Spain.

Ruy welcome back.

I also have Professor Ban Kil Joo at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.

Professor Ban it's a pleasure.

1) Ruy, before we explore the options to defuse tensions on the peninsula, let's start with North Korea's celebration of the birthday of its late founder today, that is April 15th. What are some of the related events to mark this day?

2) Professor Ban, Unification Minister Kim Young-ho was in Japan last week to reaffirm commitment to North Korea's denuclearization. What are your thoughts on the timing of this latest diplomatic call especially ahead of South Korea's early presidential election?

3) Professor Ban, also last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Kim Yo-jong dismissed what she referred to as the "daydream" of denuclearization, declaring that Pyongyang's nuclear status is permanent. How do you interpret her words?

4) Ruy, against this backdrop, the fate of American soldiers stationed here has been rendered uncertain as Mr. Trump demands South Korea shoulder a heavier burden of related expenses. But U.S. military authorities have been quick to point out any change in the status quo of American troop presence in Korea will be "problematic". Do elaborate on this stance for us.

5) Professor Ban, the Trump administration is seeking to tie its tariff policy and defense cost-sharing with South Korea into one negotiation package. How do you respond to this reality?

6) Meanwhile Ruy, recent reports also claim South Korea and the U.S. under the Biden administration signed a new war plan to better respond to North Korea's nuclear advancements. Do tell us more about this plan.

7) Ruy, there is speculation about a trilateral meeting among the leaders of Russia, North Korea and China in Moscow next month amid the Kremlin's celebration of its Victory Day. What are the prospects of such a meeting?

8) Professor Ban, amid efforts to ensure a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, some pundits have been questioning the impact of such a deal on Russia's ties with North Korea. What do you foresee happening to Moscow's ties with Pyongyang post war in Ukraine?

9) Ruy, South Korea recently established diplomatic relations with North Korea's long-time ally, Syria. What is the significance of this event, and what has been the international response?

10) Professor Ban, starting on this Tuesday, the U.S. Energy Department's inclusion of South Korea on its list of "sensitive" nations takes effect. How does this look to affect bilateral cooperation?

All right.