Moon discusses North Korea issue during summit with British PM
President Moon Jae-in, right, poses with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson before their summit at U.N., Sept. 20. Yonhap
South Korean President Moon Jae-in expressed deep concern Monday about North Korea's recent series of missile launches during a summit with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the sidelines of the 76th session of the U.N. General Assembly, Cheong Wa Dae said.
He pointed out that Pyongyang's move had come at a time when stabilization of the security condition on the peninsula is very important.
Moon then stressed the need for the parties concerned to manage the situation in a stable manner and make constant efforts for the early resumption of dialogue.
The leaders were holding their second face-to-face summit in about three months.
Moon briefed Johnson on Seoul's push for the denuclearization of Korea and establishment of peace on the peninsula.
He requested support from Britain, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, so that his peace process could make substantive progress.
The prime minister reaffirmed Britain's backing for Moon's peace drive and agreed to cooperate in efforts to engage North Korea diplomatically, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
Earlier this month, the North fired long-range cruise missiles and two ballistic missiles. Pyongyang's launching of rockets using ballistic missile technology is banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions.
The leaders, meanwhile, agreed on closer partnerships between their nations in responding to climate change.
Britain is scheduled to host the COP 26 U.N. climate action summit in November and South Korea hopes to host the COP 28 session in 2023. Johnson asked Moon to attend the COP 26 event slated for Nov. 1 and 2.
The two leaders also had discussions on bilateral relations including trade, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
They expected two-way trade and investment to further expand, going forward, with their free trade agreement (FTA) in smooth implementation since it took effect in January following Brexit.
Moon had previous talks with Johnson during his trip to the British county of Cornwall in June for a Group of Seven (G-7) summit. (Yonhap)