"North Korea 'Not Closed Off' - Optimistic Outlook on Inter-Korean-US Talks"

"It’s Not a Hopeless Stage, Things Can Work Out Through Efforts in Dialogue"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] President Moon Jae-in expressed optimism about the resumption of inter-Korean and North Korea-US talks as an extension of the Korean Peninsula peace process and stated plans to pursue them during the New Year's press conference held at the Blue House State Guest House on the 14th.

When asked whether he still trusts North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's commitment to denuclearization and reciprocal visits, President Moon said it is not a stage for pessimism and expects improvement through dialogue. He responded, "We cannot be fully optimistic about both inter-Korean and North Korea-US talks, but it is also not a stage for pessimism," adding, "Although inter-Korean and North Korea-US relations are in a deadlock and facing difficulties, efforts through dialogue and cooperation continue, and things can definitely improve." He also said, "Diplomacy involves more unseen aspects than visible ones."

He also judged that trust between the two North Korea-US leaders continues. President Moon said, "During National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong's visit to the US, President Donald Trump called him into the office and asked to deliver a birthday message to Chairman Kim, which was conveyed," adding, "President Trump apparently thought that was not enough and separately sent a letter with the same content to the North."

He then evaluated that the door to dialogue with North Korea remains open. President Moon emphasized, "North Korea received (President Trump's) letter and immediately responded to it. The friendship between the two leaders was also emphasized once again," adding, "Although they set the premise that dialogue can only happen if North Korea's demands are accepted, they clearly stated that the door to dialogue has not been closed."

Earlier, President Moon expressed his will to improve inter-Korean relations several times this year. In his New Year's address, he expressed regret over the lack of significant progress in inter-Korean cooperation over the past year and emphasized the need to seek practical ways to further enhance inter-Korean cooperation while maintaining momentum in North Korea-US talks. In line with this, he indirectly showed his intention to broaden independent maneuvering by upgrading the Ministry of Unification's Exchange and Cooperation Bureau to the Exchange and Cooperation Office and establishing a Border Cooperation Division.