Rody backs Korean Peninsula denuclearization

SEOUL – President Duterte has pushed for the successful negotiation between South and North Korea for lasting peace and denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula. In a joint statement, Duterte talked about his agreement with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on the need to establish stability in the region.

“President Moon and I likewise emphasized the need for security and stability in the region. After all, these are the foundations of solid growth for both our nations,” he said after their bilateral talks at Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), the official residence of the South Korean president.

Emerging from their bilateral meetings, the two leaders renewed the value of cooperation to address and prevent traditional and emerging threats.

According to Duterte, they also discussed strengthening collaboration in defense and security to counter terrorism, transnational crime and crimes at sea.

“I commended President Moon for his vision of bringing peace, stability and prosperity to the Korean Peninsula. His selfless dedication is demonstrated by the historic InterKorean Summit last month which resulted in the Panmunjom Declaration [for] Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula,” the President said.

Duterte issued the statement in the wake of the positive developments on the upcoming talks between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on June 12.