Moon to Xi: N. Korea-U.S. talks more important than anything

Dec 24, 2019, 09:30 am

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President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of their summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Dec. 23, 2019./ Source: Yonhap News

By AsiaToday reporter Lee Seok-jong

President Moon jae-in and Chinese President Moon Jae-in agreed Monday to gather strength to help North Korea and the United States sustain the momentum for dialogue, Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Ko Min-jung told reporters in an in-flight briefing as South Korea’s Air Force One headed to Chengdu from Beijing.

Moon held a luncheon with Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing ahead of the 8th South Korea-China-Japan leaders’ meeting in China’s southwestern city of Chengdu on Tuesday.

“The two leaders had in-depth discussions on mutual interests, such as ways to promote exchange and cooperation between the two countries, and ways to cooperate for denuclearization and peace establishment on the Korean Peninsula,” Ko said.

“Both countries came to have more strengthened positions and similar ideas particularly on the Korean Peninsula issue since Moon took office. The common position of the two countries for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula has become a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation,” Xi said at a closed-door meeting.

With regard to the recent stalemate in the Korean peace process, Xi said, “There are many people worrying about the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula. China and South Korea should join forces in making North Korea and the United States maintain the dialogue momentum. China gives consistent support for peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

Xi added that South Korea and China can do a lot of things if they join hands.

Moon agreed, “Maintaining North Korea-U.S. dialogue momentum is more important than any other thing.”

In relation to the trade disputes between Beijing and Washington, Xi said, “Cooperation would lead to interest for everybody, while a fight leaves scars on all of us.” He added that his government plans to handle it with flexibility.

In response, Moon expressed hope that the two countries will resolve the problem through constructive dialogue and welcomed a recent related agreement.

Moon also expressed hope that active sports exchanges between Seoul and Beijing will be created with the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and the Hangzhou Asian Games as momentum. Xi said, “We have received the flag of PyeongChang. We want to expand the range of exchange between the two countries in the Winter Olympics.”

On the spread of fine dust, Moon and Xi agreed that this kind of environmental issue is directly associated with the health and quality of life of people in both countries. The two leaders stressed the importance of substantial cooperation that people can feel through close cooperation between the two countries.

Moon stressed that the South Korea-China-Japan summit should take place on a regular basis, high appreciating that the trilateral summit was held for two consecutive years.

“As the summit takes place in South Korea next year, I will make effort so that the summit can be held regularly,” Moon said. “This will be a great help for co-prosperity in Northeast Asia.”

Moon invited Xi to visit Seoul as early as possible. Xi expressed gratitude for the invitation, saying he would “actively consider” it.

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