'US not always right,' says Moon's adviser

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Tue, October 3, 2023 | 05:39

Politics

'US not always right,' says Moon's adviser

Posted : 2019-01-05 11:50

Updated : 2019-01-05 11:50

Moon Chung-in, right, special adviser to President Moon Jae-in, speaks during a podcast talk show "Alileo," aired from midnight Friday. Yonhap

By Park Si-soo

Moon Chung-in, a special adviser to President Moon Jae-in, took a soft jab at the United States for the stalled denuclearization talks with North Korea, saying, "The U.S. is not always right."

He made the remark during a podcast talk show "Alileo," aired from midnight Friday, with liberal politician-turned-star writer Rhyu Si-min as host.

Speaking of a negotiation deadlock between the U.S. and the North, Moon said, "The U.S. is holding hegemony, so it believes things should be done on its own terms. From South Korea's perspective, however, the U.S. is not always right."

He added, "There are issues that can be settled smoothly when South Korea takes the initiative. But the U.S. doesn't accept this, which a point of discontent for us."

He noted that "lack of trust" between Washington and Pyongyang was a main problem behind the negotiation deadlock.

"The U.S. says it will lift U.N. sanctions and its own only when North Korea's complete denuclearization is confirmed, while the North's position is different: we didn't surrender, so the deal should be done in a way that the two countries exchange denuclearization and sanctions lifting simultaneously," the adviser said.

He went on, "From North Korea's perspective, with its hostility against the U.S. still alive, it's impossible to give up what it has first and take rewards afterward … Everything has stemmed from distrust."

For the stalled talks to move forward, he called on the North take "bold action" and the U.S. to "partially lift sanctions" in return.

Moon voiced optimism about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to Seoul, but did not elaborate.

He denied rumors that Kim postponed his Seoul visit in December due to his aides' collective opposition. Rather he pointed to "realistic problems" that could not be settled under the current political/diplomatic climate.

Recollecting his conversation with Kim's key aide during a banquet in Pyongyang on Sept 19, Moon said, "He told me Chairman Kim had decided to visit Seoul despite the opposition of his aides, including Kim Yong-chol, vice-chairman of the Party Central Committee."

pss@koreatimes.co.kr