Moon wants ‘heart-to-heart’ summit talks with Kim

Sep 18, 2018, 07:56 am

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President Moon Jae-in speaks during a meeting with top advisers at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday, a day ahead of the inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang./ Source: Yonhap

By AsiaToday reporters Park Ji-sook & Heo Go-woon

President Moon Jae-in said Monday that he'll focus during the third inter-Korean summit on easing the tension and possibility of armed conflicts caused by the military confrontation between the Koreas, reducing fears of war, and promoting a North Korea-U.S. dialogue on denuclearization issues.

"Because this issue is not something we can address ourselves, I plan to have candid talks with Chairman Kim Jong-un on where we can find a middle ground between the United States' request for North Korea's denuclearization steps and the North's demand for corresponding steps to end hostile relations and guarantee its security," Moon said during a meeting with top advisers.

Moon's remarks came one day before he begins a three-day trip to Pyongyang for his third summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. "I aim to have lots of heart-to-heart talks with Chairman Kim," Moon said. "What I want to obtain is peace."

Regarding stalled denuclearization talks between the United States and North Korea, Moon said, "We have confirmed the genuine willingness of Chairman Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump. I believe the denuclearization issue can move forward rapidly if the dialogue resumes and the two leaders sit face to face with each other again."

Regarding the establishment of a lasting peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, the president said, "What I seek is not a temporary change that could be shaken by international conditions, but irreversible and lasting peace that will literal not shake despite how international conditions change."

President Moon will depart from Seoul Airport in Seongnam, south of Seoul, at 8:40 a.m. on Tuesday before landing at the Pyongyang Sunan Airport at 10 a.m.. Moon's three-day visit to North Korea will begin with an official welcome ceremony at the Pyongyang airport. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may personally greet Moon at the airport.

Depending on the outcome of the talks, an inter-Korean summit agreement will be announced on the second day of Moon's visit.

#Moon Jae-in #inter-Korean summit #Kim Jong-un #Pyongyang