Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.
'We expect good outcome from follow-up talks'
President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump / Yonhap
By Kim Bo-eun
By Kim Bo-eun
President Moon Jae-in said he expects a good outcome in talks between the U.S. and North Korea that will follow the second summit between the leaders of the two nations held in Hanoi, Thursday, which failed to produce an agreement on denuclearization.
“Because the leaders confirmed each of their stances and discussed details, I expect a good outcome in talks that will follow,” he said in a telephone call with U.S. President Donald Trump made on the latter's way back to Washington later in the day, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
Trump expressed regret over the failure to reach a deal at the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but stated his willingness to continue talks with the North to resolve the denuclearization issue, the presidential office said in a statement.
He also asked Moon to play an active mediating role to enable this, and Moon in response pledged to provide as much support as he could.
The call lasted for 25 minutes; and took place nine days since their last call on Feb. 19.
Meanwhile, the failure to reach a deal on denuclearization steps and corresponding measures is likely to keep inter-Korean economic projects on hold.
The outcome of the summit has also posed uncertainty on the North Korean leader's visit to Seoul, which was expected to take place in the coming weeks. The Moon administration had hoped that positive developments in the North's nuclear disarmament and its relations with the U.S. would create a favorable mood for Kim's visit to Seoul.
The government hoped for the U.S. to grant a partial easing of economic sanctions on the North for its denuclearization steps, to enable the restart of inter-Korean economic projects such as the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and tours to Mount Geumgang in the North. However, the failure to reach an agreement signals that sanctions will not be eased for the time being. Inter-Korean projects, put on hold for months due to the lack of progress with the North's denuclearization, will likely continue to be deferred.
Meanwhile, President Moon is set to speak about his plans for peace on the Korean Peninsula, during a ceremony at Gwanghwamun Square, Friday, marking the 100th anniversary of the 1919 March 1 Independence Movement.
At a meeting with aides Monday, Moon said he "will prepare for a new system on the Korean Peninsula, shifting from the past of war and conflict, to peace and coexistence, from political camps and ideologies to prosperity."