In a meeting with Chen Zhili, the vice chairwoman of the standing committee of China's National People's Congress, and one of the nation's most senior female politicians, Park claimed North Korea cannot pull off economic growth without Seoul's assistance.
She added closer ties between Seoul and Beijing could lead the isolationist country to become more accountable for its actions.
"North Korea should be persuaded to follow a peaceful path not only for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula but for the sake of Northeast Asia as a whole," she told Chen at the meeting held at the National Assembly in Seoul.
The five-term lawmaker, who won her party's presidential candidacy on Aug. 20, said South Korea is in a precarious security situation with North Korea having acquired nuclear weapons technology.
"With the nuclear threat looming over our heads it is hard to pursue normal exchange and cooperation," she said, adding that if the Pyongyang gives up its weapons program, there is hope for improved inter-Korean relations.
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The Saenuri Party's presidential candidate Park Geun-hye (R) holds talks with Chen Zhili, vice chairwoman of the standing committee of China's National People's Congress, in Seoul on Sept. 4, 2012. (Yonhap) |
In response, Chen said Park's previous meeting with late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in 2002 played a role in easing tensions between South and North Korea.
The official said China places great importance on the Korean Peninsula remaining stable.
Chen, meanwhile, congratulated Park for becoming the presidential candidate of a major party, and pointed out that she believed late President Park Chung-hee is an important figure in both South Korean and world history. Rep. Park is the daughter of the late president who ruled the country from 1961 through 1979.
During the talks, Park and Chen exchanged views on the rapid progress made by the two countries just 20 years after normalization of diplomatic ties.
The two politicians said great strides have been made in such areas as politics, economic cooperation, security and culture.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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