Moon calls for US Congress' support in resolving N. Korea issue

President Moon Jae-in, second from left, talks with Paul Ryan, second from right, U.S. House of Representatives speaker, during a meeting with House of Representatives leaders at Lincoln Room at the Capitol, Washington, D.C., Thursday. / Yonhap

By Kim Rahn

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for bipartisan efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue in a meeting with leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, Thursday.

In a meeting with them on the sidelines of his summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., Moon exchanged thoughts on key issues concerning the two countries.

He expressed his gratitude to the U.S. Congress for supporting the South Korea-U.S. alliance and making efforts to develop it. He also expressed concerns over Pyongyang’s series of provocations and nuclear and missile development.

“The two nations are closely cooperating in resolving the North Korea issue, and Congress’s various activities concerning the Korean Peninsula has contributed to strengthening our cooperation,” the President said.

“I believe the alliance will go beyond focusing merely on security on the peninsula and expand to a comprehensive strategic one to deal with international challenges together such as terrorism. I request your continuous support.”

Moon also reaffirmed that he would not reverse the decision to deploy a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in South Korea although he has ordered a full-scale environmental impact survey of the system after learning about procedural flaws in the deployment.

He said the closed Gaeseong Industrial Complex would not be resumed anytime soon as reopening would only be possible through discussions with the international community.

The members of Congress said they are paying attention to how Moon will resolve the North Korea issue, which his predecessors could not, adding that China has to play a more active role in addressing it, according to Cheong Wa Dae officials.

They also highly recognized last year’s candlelit protest in South Korea which ousted former President Park Geun-hye and led to Moon’s election victory.

Moon also said the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA) has produced mutual benefits and asked for bipartisan support for the deal. The members of Congress said the KORUS FTA has produced quality jobs in both countries and vitalized the U.S.’s manufacturing industry, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

Moon offered his condolences to the family of Otto Warmbier, a U.S. citizen who died earlier this month after being returned home after 17 months of detention in North Korea. He also wished for the speedy recovery of Rep. Steve Scalise, the House majority whip, who was shot at a congressional baseball team practice earlier this month.

The participants from the House included Speaker Paul Ryan; Kevin McCarthy, Republican majority leader; Nancy Pelosi, Democratic minority leader; Steny Hoyer, minority whip; Ed Royce, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; and Mac Thornberry, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Those from the Senate included Mitch McConnell, the majority leader; Chuck Schumer, minority leader; Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; and Cory Gardener, chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia.

Before Moon’s visit to the country, 19 senators introduced a bipartisan resolution welcoming the South Korean President.