S. Korea walks back on proposal to lift unilateral sanctions against Pyongyang

Seoul has walked back on a proposal to lift some of its unilateral sanctions against North Korea following US President Donald Trump’s blunt response. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha had said on Wednesday that Seoul was considering lifting measures applied after a deadly attack in 2010. She cited the intent to create more diplomatic momentum with the North. Trump reacted by saying Seoul could “do nothing” without Washington’s approval, AP reported. Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon said on Thursday removing the sanctions has not been seriously considered and would be hard to do unless North Korea acknowledges responsibility for the 2010 attack. Pyongyang has fiercely denied it sunk the Cheonan warship, an attack that killed 46 South Korean sailors. Lifting the South’s sanctions would have little effect as US-led international sanctions remain.