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President Moon Jae-in responds to the questions of Blue House beat reporters on his presidential aircraft en route to his next stop in New Zealand after the G20 Summit concluded in Argentina Dec.1.
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Emphasizes smooth negotiations between S. Korea and the US
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Dec. 1 that Seoul and Washington “agree that it is desirable and necessary for in-depth discussions on a timetable” for North Korea’s denuclearization and corresponding measures from the US to be included in a second North Korea-US summit. He also predicted that the second summit early next year would be the “most decisive moment” in terms of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Moon’s message came in a talk with Blue House beat reporters that day on board his presidential aircraft en route to New Zealand from Argentina, where the G20 summit recently concluded. In it, he predicted the second North Korea-US summit would include more concrete discussions on denuclearization and corresponding measures. “In Singapore [at the first North Korea-US summit in June], they agreed on an approach where the North would denuclearize and the US would normalize its relations [with North Korea] and guarantee its security,” he explained. “In terms of a ‘timetable’ for how those measures take place sequentially, that’s something to be decided through North Korea-US dialogue,” he added. Moon also stressed that US President Donald Trump’s positive views toward North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could have a positive impact on the second North Korea-US summit. “President Trump said that if Chairman Kim visits Seoul within the year, he wants me to convey the message that he ‘holds a very positive view’ of Chairman Kim, that he ‘likes Chairman Kim’ and hopes he will follow through on their remaining agreements. He also promised to ‘achieve what Chairman Kim wishes,’” Moon said. He also expressed optimism about the prospects for North Korean denuclearization. “If you look at the trends so far, things are moving in a very positive direction,” he said. “[Kim] has pledged to accept US observers for the dismantlement of their nuclear and missile test sites, and he has promised to dismantle all nuclear facilities at Yongbyon if there are corresponding measures,” he explained. Moon further stressed that the corresponding measures Pyongyang seeks from the international community in exchange for denuclearization “do not necessary mean the lifting or loosening of sanctions.” “We can also consider it in terms of postponing or downscaling South Korea-US military exercises, humanitarian aid, nonpolitical forms of exchange in areas like sports and art, preliminary research efforts for inter-Korean economic cooperation, and an end-of-war declaration as a political declaration,” he said. Dismisses claims of S. Korea-US discord He also dismissed claims from some news outlets and opposition parties about frictions between Seoul and Washington. “They’re talking about discord between South Korea and the US, and I’m not sure what they’re basing that kind of thing on,” he said, suggesting annoyance with the claims. “US President Donald Trump also holds a very positive view of the current situation. There is absolutely no discord between South Korea and the US in terms of the process of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula and advancing inter-Korean relations,” he added, mentioning the examples of detailed discussions with the US on matters such as they joint survey for linking South and North Korean railways, the opening of a joint inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong, and the issue of divided family reunions. Moon also addressed the matter of a groundbreaking ceremony for the railway linkage, which is expected to be held before the end of the year. “Actually beginning work and connecting [the railways] could be in violation of international sanctions,” he said. “We’re considering having a ‘launch ceremony’ in the sense of beginning work as opposed to actual construction,” he explained. “We also plan to hold ample discussions with the US on that.” Moon’s emphasis on smooth communication between Seoul and Washington during the talk with reporters appeared motivated by concerns that false or inflated claims of “conflict” with the US could encourage distrust and hamper the Korean Peninsula denuclearization and peace processes. By Seong Yeon-cheol, staff reporter Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
