US-NK summit will be historic event: Moon

By Kim Rahn

The planned Washington-Pyongyang summit will have historic meaning just by taking place and a good outcome for permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula is expected, as the two sides show strong will for it, President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday.

He called for thorough preparations for the inter-Korean summit, to be held before the Washington-Pyongyang summit, so the former one can lead to the success of the latter.

Moon made the remark in a meeting with the preparation committee for the inter-Korean summit, which is set for April 27. It also came while the U.S. and North Korea have confirmed their commitment to the summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un which is slated for May or early June.

“The inter-Korean summit will lead in to the first ever U.S.-North Korea summit,” Moon said, adding the two sides are reportedly discussing the time, venue and theme of the bilateral talks.

“Holding the Washington-Pyongyang summit itself will be significant in world history. As the two nations are preparing for it with strong will, I expect the summit will produce a good outcome in taking a big step toward the goals of denuclearizing the peninsula and achieving permanent peace through it.”

Moon said to reach the goal, South Korea must prepare fully so the inter-Korean summit will serve to guide the success of the U.S.-North Korea summit. “Related organizations, including the foreign ministry and the National Security Office, will have to closely exchange information, communicate and discuss issues with the U.S.,” he said.

Following Moon's order, the preparation committee will set up a taskforce to monitor the progress of each relevant ministry and organization. How to form the taskforce will be announced today.

The President said the nation is at the starting line of a long journey toward peace and prosperity.

“We are about to embark on a historic transition of complete denuclearization of the peninsula, lasting peace and sustainable development of South-North Korean relations. It is a goal everybody has dreamed of but has never achieved,” Moon said.

The President called for firm determination and confidence so the nation can go beyond division and confrontation and write a new history. But he also stressed care and restraint.

“Rather than approaching this with too much ambition to resolve all problems at once, I ask you to make efforts with a goal to lay the stepping stone for restoring the long-strained inter-Korean relations and ensuring peace and prosperity on the peninsula,” he said.