South Korea seeks nuclear pledges from North, U.S.
SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s president on Tuesday urged both North Korea and the United States to “make bold decisions” to break a deepening diplomatic impasse over the North’s nuclear ambitions, saying he’ll continue to act as mediator.
President Moon Jae-in’s comments come days before he’s to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the third time this year to discuss how to achieve denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. Moon said the summit must lead to another “big step” toward denuclearization.
During a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump must think broadly and “make bold decisions” to move the diplomacy forward and get North Korea to dismantle its nuclear arsenal.
North Korea has dismantled its nuclear and rocket engine testing sites, but U.S. officials have demanded more serious steps.
Kim has reportedly said that his efforts must be reciprocated by corresponding U.S. measures such as a joint declaration to end the 1950-53 Korean War.
Moon said South Korea has no choice but to mediate between the two countries to promote dialogue, saying both Trump and Kim have asked him to play such a role. He wants “genuine talks” between Washington and Pyongyang to resume soon.
During a visit to Seoul on Tuesday, Steve Biegun, the new U.S. special envoy on North Korea, stressed the need to maintain nuclear diplomacy.
“We have some hard work to do. But we also have tremendous opportunity created by President Trump, by President Moon and by Chairman Kim. We need to do everything we can to make the most of this moment of opportunity,” Biegun said at the start of his meeting with South Korean nuclear envoy Lee Do-hoon.