The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    INTERVIEWAhn Hyo-seop wanted to share dedicated love with 'A Time Called You'

  • 3

    Distraught roller skater apologizes for costly premature celebration

  • 5

    Korea makes last-ditch bid to host World Expo 2030 in Busan

  • 7

    Heavy traffic jams mostly eased on 5th day of holiday

  • 9

    LA-based photographer captures Koreatown unfazed by pandemic

  • 11

    INTERVIEWIt is premature to revise ROK-US mutual defense treaty: veterans' group head

  • 13

    Korea picks up 2 medals in table tennis as gold drought continues

  • 15

    Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week

  • 17

    Shin-Hanul No. 2 nuclear reactor begins testing for full operation next year

  • 19

    4 injured in rockfall at tourist attraction on eastern island of Ulleung

  • 2

    Korea's Coast Guard apprehends 22 Chinese after illegal entry attempt

  • 4

    SHINee launches first Japan tour in 5 years

  • 6

    S. Korea wins 1st table tennis gold in 21 yrs

  • 8

    Consumers to face higher prices for daily necessities after Chuseok

  • 10

    Samsung chief visits Middle East to explore new businesses

  • 12

    No regrets for roller skaters after taking silver in relay

  • 14

    National Assembly speeds up efforts to outlaw dog meat consumption in Korea

  • 16

    'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' tops Chuseok holiday box office

  • 18

    Internet-only banks outperform legacy lenders in labor productivity

  • 20

    Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, October 4, 2023 | 09:11
Politics
Moon rules out possibility of war
Posted : 2017-08-17 17:10
Updated : 2017-08-18 13:35
Kim Rahn
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Journalists raise their hands to ask President Moon Jae-in questions during a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. Moon took questions freely on various topics of the reporters' choice, differing from his conservative predecessors who gave prepared answers to questions that had been prescreened by the presidential office in advance. / Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwon
Journalists raise their hands to ask President Moon Jae-in questions during a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. Moon took questions freely on various topics of the reporters' choice, differing from his conservative predecessors who gave prepared answers to questions that had been prescreened by the presidential office in advance. / Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwon

‘Any US military option against N. Korea requires Seoul's consent'

By Kim Rahn

President Moon Jae-in said Thursday that U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to get South Korea's consent first before using any military options against North Korea, ruling out the possibility of a war on the Korean Peninsula.


In his first press conference held at Cheong Wa Dae, marking the 100th day of his presidency, Moon said he would prevent war here at all costs. The conference came after Pyongyang test-fired an alleged intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and exchanged bellicose rhetoric with Washington.

"I can guarantee you there will be no war here again," Moon said.

Noting that the U.S. and the international community have recently agreed on stronger sanctions on North Korea, he said, "The measures were aimed at preventing war, and pressuring Pyongyang to come to the negotiation table through heavy sanctions."

Moon also dismissed concerns that Washington may use military options against Pyongyang without Seoul's agreement. "Nobody can make a decision on military action on the peninsula without South Korea's consent," he said. "President Trump also said whatever option he would use, he would fully discuss it with South Korea and seek its consent beforehand. It is a firm agreement between South Korea and the U.S."

Moon said even if the U.S. plans to take military action against North Korea outside the peninsula, he is sure that Washington will discuss it with Seoul fully in advance if the action is likely to raise tension in inter-Korean relations. "I believe this is in the spirit of the South Korea-U.S. alliance," he said.

Moon added that Seoul and Washington have the same stance and goal: to prevent North Korea from making further provocations and make it return to negotiations through strong sanctions and pressure.

Regarding Trump's bellicose rhetoric toward the Kim Jong-un regime including phrases such as "fire and fury," Moon said, "Trump is showing his resolution to pressure Pyongyang. I don't think his comments necessarily indicate his intention to carry out military action. I'm telling you that Seoul and Washington are fully communicating with each other."

Moon says N. Korea nearing 'red line'
2017-08-17 16:53  |  North Korea
Moon willing to send special envoy to N. Korea
Moon willing to send special envoy to N. Korea
2017-08-17 16:37  |  Politics
Japan asked to compensate Korean colonial-era victims
2017-08-17 16:52  |  Foreign Affairs
Moon defends Shin-Kori reactor committee
2017-08-17 16:47  |  Society
Moon's reform push backed by high popularity
Moon's reform push backed by high popularity
2017-08-17 17:07  |  Politics
Moon seeks referendum on constitutional revision next year
2017-08-17 16:53  |  Politics
Moon's approval rating hovers around 72%
2017-08-17 13:48  |  Politics
The President said North Korea would be crossing a red line if it completes weaponizing an ICBM with a nuclear warhead, adding Pyongyang is nearing that line. "If the North undertakes further provocations, it will face even stronger sanctions which it will not be able to withstand."

He said the two Koreas should be able to start dialogue when the North stops its provocations. "And in the right circumstances, I may consider sending a special envoy to Pyongyang if it is helpful to improve the relationship and resolve the nuclear issue."

Constitutional amendment

Moon said he would keep his earlier promise to put a Constitutional revision in a referendum alongside the June 13 local elections in 2018, saying a National Assembly special committee has been working on the issue already.


During his election campaign, he said he would seek an amendment to limit presidential power, empower local autonomous bodies, reform election rules and boost basic human rights.

"The nation may need more discussion on the presidential power limitation, but I think there is a social consensus on strengthening local autonomy and boosting basic human rights. These issues can be dealt with first in the referendum alongside the local elections," he said.

About the possibility of tax hikes to cover expanded welfare programs, Moon said he may seek hikes if a social consensus is formed, but added the government can find enough money for the programs through the already announced new taxation plan — raising tax rates for the super-rich and big money-making companies.

Regarding a question why South Korea has raised the compensation issue of forced laborers under Japanese colonial rule after the two countries "settled" the issue through a 1965 settlement agreement, Moon said an agreement between countries cannot infringe on individuals' rights.

"We have precedents set by the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court that forced laborers still have the right to pursue civil suits against their employers," he said. "But I'm stressing that the history issue should not block future-oriented relations between the two countries."

Moon said his plan for a nuclear-free energy policy will be carried out gradually, dismissing concerns that halting nuclear reactor construction will lead to power shortages and electricity fee hikes.

"I plan to shut down reactors one by one when their lifespan expires," he said, adding recently built reactors have a lifespan of 60 years, so an entire nuclear-free energy program will be available in 60 years. "During that time, we can find alternative energy sources."

Participating in the conference were 189 local and 28 foreign journalists. They asked questions freely without prior coordination with Cheong Wa Dae officials, and the President made impromptu answers without a script.

Emailrahnita@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
LG
Top 10 Stories
1Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week Public transit fares to increase in Seoul and Busan this week
2Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operationsRuling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations
3Ruling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operationsRuling party vows to investigate China's alleged influence operations
4Genesis GV80 Coupe looks to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW Genesis GV80 Coupe looks to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW
5Korean steelmakers on alert over initiation of EU carbon border tariff Korean steelmakers on alert over initiation of EU carbon border tariff
6Hyundai, Kia to extend earnings rally on strengthening dollar, solid sales Hyundai, Kia to extend earnings rally on strengthening dollar, solid sales
730 out of 74 major financial companies lack female board member30 out of 74 major financial companies lack female board member
8Korean shipbuilders seek lead over Chinese rivals in selling LNG carriers to Qatar Korean shipbuilders seek lead over Chinese rivals in selling LNG carriers to Qatar
9Lawmakers want chairmen of financial firms held accountable over misconductLawmakers want chairmen of financial firms held accountable over misconduct
10Dong-A Socio Group's honorary chairman passes away at 96 Dong-A Socio Group's honorary chairman passes away at 96
Top 5 Entertainment News
1TREASURE takes flak for excluding Dokdo from its Japan tour map TREASURE takes flak for excluding Dokdo from its Japan tour map
2Two artists' windows to light and serenity Two artists' windows to light and serenity
3Crime thriller, romance series set to roll out in October Crime thriller, romance series set to roll out in October
4[INTERVIEW] Ahn Hyo-seop wanted to share dedicated love with 'A Time Called You' INTERVIEWAhn Hyo-seop wanted to share dedicated love with 'A Time Called You'
5'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' tops Chuseok holiday box office 'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' tops Chuseok holiday box office
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group