Moon meets Jesse Jackson in New York

President Moon Jae-in, second from right, and his wife Kim Jung-sook, right, talk with U.S. civil-rights activist Jesse Jackson at the Council on Foreign Relations headquarters, New York, Tuesday, after Moon delivered a speech for local diplomatic organizations. / Yonhap

By Park Ji-won

President Moon Jae-in met with U.S. civil-rights icon Jesse Jackson after making a speech in New York Tuesday and exchanged opinions on the Korean Peninsula saying the North's actions and the U.S.'s corresponding countermeasures would lead to the North's denuclearization.

After delivering the speech at the diplomatic event “A Conversation with President Moon Jae-in” organized by U.S. think tank Council on Foreign Relations, the Korea Society and the Asia Society, Moon said to Jackson that the North's sincere implementation of denuclearization and the U.S.'s countermeasures on the matter would lead to the North's denuclearization, according to a written briefing by Cheong Wa Dae's vice spokeswoman Ko Min-jung.

Praising U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts, Moon said “President Trump's decision led us to the current situation.”

Jackson asked Moon whether denuclearization is possible without securing trade and food. Moon said is “persuading Kim” and believes “Kim would think the same.” Moon told Jackson that the “U.S. can lead North Korea in making such a decision.”

Regarding Moon's efforts to mediate talks between North Korea and the U.S. and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, Jackson said Moon seemed to be succeeding like South African President Nelson Mandela and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung did. Moon replied that “we are trying to inherit former President Kim Dae-jung's legacy.”

Jackson added that he now looks at the North with hope, whereas he used to be cynical and feared it.