Korea-US Leaders' Phone Call: Will the Puzzle of the Korean Peninsula Peace 'Common Denominator' Be Solved? (Update)

President Moon's 8 AM Call at the Residence Meeting Room...Focus on Both Leaders' Views on Resolving Korean Peninsula Issues

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The 'Korea-US summit call' between President Moon Jae-in and US President Joe Biden is expected to serve as an opportunity to clarify the 'common denominator' between the two countries regarding solutions for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

President Moon held the Korea-US summit call with President Biden at 8 a.m. on the 4th in the reception room of the Blue House residence. Although it was anticipated that the Korea-US summit call would take place last Friday (January 29), it was somewhat delayed. Various interpretations arose regarding the reason for the delay, but the Blue House cautioned against 'overinterpretation.' It also suggested that the Korea-US summit call would take place soon.

This Korea-US summit call is the first official communication between the two leaders since the transition from the 'Trump era' to the 'Biden era' in the United States. The main focus is President Biden's perception of President Moon's 'Korean Peninsula peace process.' President Moon maintained close cooperation during former President Trump’s administration to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A dramatic scene was also staged where the leaders of South Korea, North Korea, and the United States met at Panmunjom. Inter-Korean summits and North Korea-US summits were also arranged. However, there are expectations that the US strategy on the Korean Peninsula might be revised during President Biden’s administration. This is because it is analyzed that a 'bottom-up' approach, which seeks solutions step-by-step through working-level discussions, will be preferred over a 'top-down' approach that looks for broad agreements between leaders.

President Biden, who has extensive diplomatic experience, is also expected to approach Korean Peninsula issues through multilateralism. This has led to speculation that the 'pace' of improving peace on the Korean Peninsula will differ from the past.

However, there is also analysis that the two leaders will find common ground regarding the importance of a strong Korea-US alliance and the basic principles of the Korean Peninsula peace process.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In a congratulatory message sent to President Biden on January 21, President Moon stated, "Korea will always stand with the Biden administration’s journey as a steadfast ally and a reliable partner of the United States," and added, "We will continue unwavering cooperation to strengthen the Korea-US alliance and for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the region."

This tone is expected to continue in the current Korea-US summit call as well.

Since the first call between the two leaders has taken place, there is also interest in when a summit meeting will be held. Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok stated, "President Moon also expressed hope to meet President Biden directly in the near future to strengthen friendship and trust and to have candid discussions on shared concerns."

Although COVID-19 has emerged as a variable, given the inauguration of a new US president, the general view is that a summit meeting is only a matter of time. Attention is focused on whether President Moon and President Biden will meet directly for a summit within the first half of this year.