President Moon's Letter to Chairman Kim: "We Must Protect the Lives and Safety of 80 Million Fellow Koreans" (Comprehensive)

Cheong, 공개한 친서 to Kim Jong-un on the 8th... "Hope all difficulties of North Korean compatriots are overcome soon"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in stated in a letter sent to Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, on the 9th, "Protecting the lives and safety of our 80 million compatriots is the most fundamental duty that we must uphold no matter what challenges and difficulties we face."

President Moon said, "In particular, I pay tribute to the Chairman's strong will to respect life. A collapsed house can be rebuilt, a broken bridge can be reconnected, and fallen rice plants can be stood up again, but a human life can never be restored and is an absolute value that cannot be exchanged for anything," expressing these sentiments.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon stated, "From the prolonged and painful struggle against the coronavirus to the heavy rains and several typhoons, this has been a time of great trials for all of us," adding, "I deeply empathize with the Chairman visiting disaster sites in person to comfort those in hardship and leading the recovery efforts at the forefront."

President Moon said, "It is regrettable that we cannot help each other in these precarious times every day, but as compatriots, we will support each other in spirit and overcome this together," and "I sincerely hope that all difficulties faced by our northern compatriots will be overcome as soon as the Chairman wishes."

Meanwhile, National Security Office Director Suh Hoon disclosed the full text of the letter President Moon sent to Chairman Kim during a briefing at the Chuncheon Press Center on the 25th. Director Suh explained, "Following the release of the notification from the North this afternoon and the growing public interest in the exchange of letters between the South and North Korean leaders, President Moon instructed that the recent letters exchanged be shared with the public as they are."