Published 12:08 IST, September 25th 2019
UN: SKorea President Moon Jae-in calls for improved ties with NKorea
The President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in called for confidence and friendship with its rival, North Korea in return for advancement on nuclear disarmament
The President of South Korea Moon Jae-in on September 24 called for confidence and friendship with its rival, North Korea in return for advancement on nuclear disarmament. The South Korean President at the United Nations General Assembly, called for close ties among the Koreas and while talking to top leaders at New York, he said, “will guarantee the security of North Korea. I hope North Korea will do the same for South Korea”.
While there have been many summits between North Korea supreme leader Kim Jong-un with US President Donald Trump and South Korea's Moon Jae-in, the uncertainty to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear and missile program still remains.
Moon bats for friendly ties
President Moon has been the main person behind the diplomacy leading to historic summits. Trump at the United Nations address 2 years ago threatened to destroy North Korea but became the first sitting US President to have an official meeting with a North Korean leader last year. He also became the first one to enter North Korea's territory. On September 23, Donald Trump at the United Nations said that there were chances that he could meet Kim Jong-un soon but did not shed more light to it. Moon while speaking on Trump's North Korean visit said, “was a remarkable step that will go down in the history of peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. I hope both leaders will take yet another huge step from there”.
Moon called for an international peace zone
North Korea has time and again tested its nuclear weapons, causing tension to South Korea and Japan. Moon Jae-in in the speech said that if security assurances are mutual then it would lead to quick nuclear disarmament and peace in the Korean region which is currently at a war-like state. “The two Koreas and the United States are setting their sights not only on denuclearization and peace but also on the economic cooperation that will follow thereafter,” Moon said.
While speaking, he called for an international peace zone in the Demilitarized Zone. “If North Korea makes sincere efforts to implement denuclearization, the international community should also reciprocate,” Moon said. “The establishment of an international peace zone will provide an institutional and realistic guarantee to North Korea’s security. At the same time, South Korea will also be able to gain permanent peace.”
(With inputs from AP)
Updated 14:34 IST, September 25th 2019