Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Wednesday that military pressure is not the answer to North Korea’s nuclear program, urging the United States, South Korea and Japan to pursue dialogue and diplomacy instead.
Speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan in Tokyo, Abdelatty said, “Military solutions are not an option.” He added that “history shows that military solutions do not solve problems” and that “they make situations more complicated and place a greater burden on people.”
Abdelatty described dialogue as “the only game in town,” saying, “We have to sit together and talk. There are clear limits to military options.”
He argued that sustainable peace requires not a “balance of power” but a “balance of interest.” “Imposing one’s will on the other side does not solve the problem,” Abdelatty said. “We need to take into account the other side’s concerns and interests, and the other side also needs to take into account our concerns and interests.”
The Egyptian foreign minister said the same principle applies in East Asia, the Middle East and Europe. “An approach based on international law and multilateralism is needed everywhere,” he said. “The law of the jungle does not help anyone.”
Abdelatty’s remarks came as North Korea has recently unveiled a new nuclear fuel plant and vowed exponential growth of its arsenal, raising international concern. The press conference was held under the theme “Japan’s Role in Ending the Conflict in Iran,” according to the club.
Asked by Asia Today whether lessons from diplomacy with Iran could be applied to the North Korean nuclear issue, Abdelatty made the remarks.
On Gaza, Abdelatty described the situation as “catastrophic” and said what is needed now is not a large-scale reconstruction project but an early recovery phase that restores hospitals, schools and clinics. He called for expanded humanitarian assistance, saying, “Palestinians must be treated as human beings.”
On tensions between Israel and Iran, he said reaching an agreement is the only rational way out and that diplomatic efforts must be strengthened to prevent further escalation and restore freedom of navigation.
Abdelatty also expressed hope that Japan would play a more active role in reducing tensions. “Japan is an important country that maintains good relations with the United States, Iran and Arab countries,” he said. “We expect Japan to play a more active role in easing tensions and promoting peaceful solutions in the Middle East.”
He said Japan is viewed in the Middle East and Africa as a country without hidden intentions and that its “engagement and mediation efforts are always highly valued.”
Egypt has been involved in diplomatic mediation related to U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, Middle East de-escalation and cease-fire efforts in the Gaza war, according to the report.