Park, U.N. chief hope N. Korea doesn't launch rocket

South Korean President Park Geun-hye and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have expressed hope that North Korea does not go ahead with a long-range rocket launch.

The two also shared the view that the isolated country should come forward for dialogue with the international community, Ju Chul-ki, senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs, told reporters after their meeting at Ban's official residence on Friday evening.

Park arrived in New York hours earlier for the U.N. General Assembly.

Park and Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, did not hold specific consultations on sanctions the U.N. could impose on North Korea in case Pyongyang launches a long-range rocket, Ju said.

North Korea has long been under an array of U.S. and international sanctions for its nuclear and missile programs.

A new rocket launch, if carried out, is likely to prompt the U.N. to further tighten sanctions on North Korea.

There is speculation that North Korea may launch a long-range rocket in October to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party.

Seoul and Washington view a satellite launch as a cover for testing the North's ballistic missile technology, which is banned under U.N. resolutions.

The North has also suggested that it may conduct a nuclear test in response to what it claims is the hostile policy of the United States and other hostile forces.

Park told Ban that North Korea should end its obsession with its nuclear weapons program and have dialogue with South Korea and work toward a peaceful unification.

Ban vowed to assist in efforts to promote peace and the development of inter-Korean relations.

Last month, South and North Korea produced a breakthrough deal that defused tensions on the Korean Peninsula and set the stage for temporary reunions for families separated since the 1950-53 Korean War.

Also Friday, U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, held summit talks and reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

Xi also said he opposes any action that violates U.N. Security Council resolutions, in an apparent warning against North Korea over its possible rocket launch.

Park also unveiled her commitment to contribute to the development of underdeveloped countries, citing Seoul's "Saemaeul Movement," or new community movement.

The initiative -- launched by Park's father, then-President Park Chung-hee in the 1970s -- is credited with helping modernize the then-rural South Korean economy.

Park made the comment early Friday as she congratulated Ban on the adoption of a new U.N. global agenda at the start of a three-day summit on sustainable development.

The new agenda commits every country to taking an array of actions that not only address the root causes of poverty but also increase economic growth and prosperity, and meet people's health, education and social needs, while protecting the environment, according to the U.N. (Yonhap)