INTERVIEW: N. Korea denuclearization push must continue: ex-S. Korean envoy

SEOUL - North Korea's nuclear capabilities have steadily advanced in the 20 years since its first nuclear test amid insufficient coordination among countries seeking to dismantle its weapons program, and abandoning denuclearization efforts would deprive the international community of leverage over Pyongyang, a former South Korean nuclear envoy said.

Chun Yung Woo, who served as Seoul's top envoy to six-party talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear ambitions from 2006 to 2008, pointed to a gap between North Korea's determination and the international response as a major reason past denuclearization efforts have failed.