S.Korean president vows to continue engagement policy towards DPRK

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Thursday that his government will continue "friendly" relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Roh made the remarks when meeting with foreign business executives at a conference organized by the state-run Korea Trade- Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

Roh said that his government will put its top policy priority on peace on the Korean Peninsula and have to maintain friendly relations with DPRK.

Roh reiterated South Korea's stance that DPRK must abandon its nuclear weapons program, adding that his government will make efforts to realize the purpose while preventing military conflict with DPRK.

During the meeting, Roh told foreign investors that South Korea will launch negotiations on free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) next year and accelerating preparations for FTA talks with China.

Roh promised that South Korea will continue to improve business environment for foreign investors by accelerating reform efforts particularly in four fields -- financial markets, private corporations, the public sector and labor-management relations.

Source: Xinhua