The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    K-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling Quran

  • 3

    BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single '3D'

  • 5

    4 in 10 Koreans experience overdue wages: survey

  • 7

    Korea has world's highest senior poverty rate: data

  • 9

    All BTS members renew contract with BigHit

  • 11

    K-pop fans rally in Seoul against luxury brands' failure on climate action

  • 13

    Deoksu Palace's reconstructed Dondeokjeon hall to open to public

  • 15

    Korean gov't faces international criticism for R&D budget cuts

  • 17

    Hyundai Steel decides to form steel pipe unit

  • 19

    SK earthon begins crude oil production in South China Sea

  • 2

    Actor Song Joong-ki still hungry for new movie roles

  • 4

    Tanghulu captures hearts of Korean millennials and Gen Z

  • 6

    S. Korea flexes military might in rare parade with US in central Seoul

  • 8

    PHOTOSHarvest season arrives

  • 10

    Korean tennis player Kwon Soon-woo eliminated in 2nd round at Hangzhou Asiad

  • 12

    Serial killer transferred to detention center in Seoul equipped with execution chamber

  • 14

    Over half of Koreans want continuous strengthening of alliance with US: poll

  • 16

    LG Uplus, Hanwha develop ceiling-mounted EV charging system

  • 18

    EXCLUSIVELawmakers to submit resolution urging China to free N. Korean escapees

  • 20

    Main opposition chief in showdown with prosecutors over arrest

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, September 27, 2023 | 04:33
Politics
Moon open to meet with North Korean leader
Posted : 2018-01-10 15:55
Updated : 2018-01-10 17:37
Kim Rahn
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
President Moon Jae-in points to a reporter waiting for an opportunity to ask a question during a New Year press conference held at Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Ko Young-kwon
President Moon Jae-in points to a reporter waiting for an opportunity to ask a question during a New Year press conference held at Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Ko Young-kwon

Resuming Gaeseong complex, trip to Mount Geumgang unlikely under sanctions

By Kim Rahn

President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday he was willing to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un if certain conditions were met, stressing North Korea's nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through negotiations.

Moon made the remarks at a New Year's press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, a day after the two Koreas held their first high-level talks in almost two years.

"I'm open to any type of meeting with North Korea, including a summit, if conditions are met and productive results are guaranteed. It is undesirable to hold a summit for the summit's sake," he said.

The President reaffirmed Seoul would not pursue inter-Korean exchanges that could violate international sanctions on the North.

Moon said improving relations and resolving the North's nuclear issue were not separate things, as many inter-Korean exchanges are subject to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions.

Trump to follow up on inter-Korean talks
Trump to follow up on inter-Korean talks
2018-01-11 06:45  |  Politics
Moon urges Japan's sincere apology to sex slavery victims
2018-01-10 16:36  |  Foreign Affairs
President vows to reform chaebol
2018-01-10 16:56  |  Economy
Moon drives for constitutional revision
2018-01-10 16:34  |  Politics
Moon stresses public safety
2018-01-10 16:37  |  Politics
Moon's key comments in New Year's press conference
Moon's key comments in New Year's press conference
2018-01-10 10:12  |  Politics
President Moon Jae-in's New Year Press Conference Speech: full text
2018-01-10 21:20  |  Politics
"Through the talks for improving inter-Korean relations, we need to lead the North to negotiations for denuclearization," Moon said. "We should resolve North Korea's nuclear issue peacefully. The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula which has been declared by both Koreas is a stance we will never give up."

He said whether to resume operation of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex or tours to Mount Geumgang should be reviewed in that context.

"The two-track talks will create a virtuous circle; talks to improve inter-Korean relations can help address the nuclear issue, and progress in the nuclear talks can help further improve inter-Korean relations."

Moon welcomed the reopening of talks and North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, but reaffirmed Seoul would abide by the international sanctions on Pyongyang because the nuclear issue has not been addressed.

"We alone may not be able to resume the Gaeseong complex and tours to the mountain as they are linked to the UNSC sanctions," he said. "If North Korea makes provocations again and does not show sincerity, international society will apply heavier pressure and tougher sanctions."

Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump taking credit for the inter-Korean talks, Moon said he also believes Trump played a big role, adding the U.S. and the international community's pressure may have helped lead the North to the talks.

"We seek to use the talks as momentum to improve inter-Korean relations and resolve the nuclear issue through dialogue. In that, Seoul and Washington have no different opinions. That's why the U.S. is supporting the inter-Korean talks and hoping they can address the nuclear issue," he said.

As to Japan's wartime sexual slavery of Korean women, Moon said the issue can be solved when Japan acknowledges its past wrongdoing and offers a sincere apology to the victims. The government said the previous day it would not seek a renegotiation of the 2015 Korea-Japan verbal agreement over the issue although it was "gravely flawed" and failed to reflect the victims' opinions.

The President also reaffirmed his determination to hold a referendum on a revision to the Constitution alongside the June local elections. "If the National Assembly's special committee on the revision is unable to present revision suggestions in time for the elections, the government may start preparing its own by collecting public opinion," Moon said.

Suspicions have recently emerged over alleged secret military deals with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Moon said Korea and the UAE have signed multiple military agreements and memoranda of understanding; but noted those signed under the Roh Moo-hyun administration were made public, while those signed under the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye governments were not.

"If there were flaws in the undisclosed deals, we'll talk with the UAE over revising or supplementing them," he said.

In the economic sector, the President pledged efforts to create jobs for young people, reduce working hours, resume the tripartite talks for labor reform, eradicate hiring irregularities and reform chaebol governance.


Emailrahnita@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
miguel
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1S. Korea flexes military might in rare parade with US in central Seoul S. Korea flexes military might in rare parade with US in central Seoul
2Korea has world's highest senior poverty rate: data Korea has world's highest senior poverty rate: data
3For closer business ties between Korea, Vietnam For closer business ties between Korea, Vietnam
4Seoul Welcome Week to return for first time since pandemicSeoul Welcome Week to return for first time since pandemic
5Gov't to boost Korean language education for multiethnic students Gov't to boost Korean language education for multiethnic students
6POSCO International to enter US grain market POSCO International to enter US grain market
7BOK warns of worsening household debt situation BOK warns of worsening household debt situation
8Late Samsung chairman's love of animals helps change Korea's pet culture Late Samsung chairman's love of animals helps change Korea's pet culture
9SK Telecom to triple AI investment over next 5 years SK Telecom to triple AI investment over next 5 years
10Biden will try to 'manage' NK nuclear issue, not resolve it: US expert Biden will try to 'manage' NK nuclear issue, not resolve it: US expert
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] ONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince' INTERVIEWONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince'
2Kep1er unveils 'Magic Hour' with fresh perspective on love Kep1er unveils 'Magic Hour' with fresh perspective on love
3Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene
4K-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling Quran K-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling Quran
5BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single '3D' BTS' Jungkook to drop 2nd solo single '3D'
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group