South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon on Sunday called on North Korea to restore the trust of the international community.

Addressing the general debate of the 60th session of the UN General Assembly, Ban said during the six-party talks, which commenced on July 26, broke off for a recess, and resumed last week, all participants have agreed on the goal and principles of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea "has made an earnest effort to expedite the talks toward a resolution, including through the offer to supply 2 million kWe of electric power to North Korea directly, addressing one of the most pressing problems faced by North Korea," he said.

Ban noted that once the agreement, which is on the principles for the resolution of the Korean Peninsular nuclear issue, is adopted, the agreement will "be a crucial step" toward the denuclearization of the peninsula and launch discussions on an action plan toward a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue.

"A strategic decision by North Korea to dismantle all nuclear weapons and nuclear programs would be met with economic and energy assistance and security assurance," he said.

Ban stressed that North Korea must return to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and comply with the full scope of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards so as to restore the trust of the international community.

"The door would then open for its right to peaceful use of nuclear energy," he concluded.

(Xinhua News Agency September 19, 2005)