Global Assistance Is Up to N.Korea, Lee Says

President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday said it is up to North Koreans whether they can receive outside help.

Asked during a press conference on the G20 Seoul Summit how to narrow differences between the two Koreas and whether he is seeking an inter-Korean summit, Lee said, "One of the most important points on the agenda of the G20 Summit in Seoul is how to develop the economy of developing and poor countries. The North falls in this category, and the regime can get cooperation if it joins the international community."

Lee reaffirmed his position that the North must show "the will to reform and open up and change its attitude in a forward-looking way to receive aid and economic cooperation."

About the possibility of Pyongyang launching terrorist attacks during the G20 summit, the president said, "I don't think the North will do such a thing."

This is because the U.S. and China "are warning the North to refrain from doing such a thing. In my opinion, the North won't dare do it during an international event where world leaders gather together to discuss the global economy." He expressed faith that the North "thinks as we do and, therefore, won't do such a thing. But I assure you that we're taking precautions for all eventualities."