But the sunshine policy is one of the tools we may use.

"I will push forward with the sunshine policy without being distracted," he said at a luncheon here.

The sunshine policy is not dead, President Kim pledged today.

But by high school, with the sunshine policy, North Koreans were no longer regarded as enemies.

"The world knows that there is no other alternative than the sunshine policy on the Korean Peninsula."

The big loser may have been his "sunshine policy" of reconciliation with North Korea.

Seoul's "sunshine policy" towards the north aimed to encourage change through dialogue and aid.

Tension has been reduced greatly through the sunshine policy.

"I'm a supporter of the sunshine policy, of engagement," he says.

"Under no circumstances should this situation be used to attack the sunshine policy or be used as a political tool," he said in a statement.