Seoul firms up support for North Korea to join the IMF

SEOUL -- The South Korean government on Monday firmed up its commitment to back North Korea's bid to join the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, as part of its strategy to help Pyongyang open up its market to the world.

In a scheduled policy statement for 2019, the Finance Ministry said it would seek support from the international community for the North's entry to the international bodies. But with denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang at a stalemate, South Korea will have much work to do to convince the U.S. -- the largest shareholder in both organizations -- to allow Pyongyang in.