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| President Moon Jae-in points to a reporter waiting for an opportunity to ask a question during a New Year press conference held at Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Ko Young-kwon |
Resuming Gaeseong complex, trip to Mount Geumgang unlikely under sanctions
By Kim Rahn
President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday he was willing to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un if certain conditions were met, stressing North Korea's nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through negotiations.
Moon made the remarks at a New Year's press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, a day after the two Koreas held their first high-level talks in almost two years.
"I'm open to any type of meeting with North Korea, including a summit, if conditions are met and productive results are guaranteed. It is undesirable to hold a summit for the summit's sake," he said.
The President reaffirmed Seoul would not pursue inter-Korean exchanges that could violate international sanctions on the North.
Moon said improving relations and resolving the North's nuclear issue were not separate things, as many inter-Korean exchanges are subject to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions.
"Through the talks for improving inter-Korean relations, we need to lead the North to negotiations for denuclearization," Moon said. "We should resolve North Korea's nuclear issue peacefully. The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula which has been declared by both Koreas is a stance we will never give up."
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He said whether to resume operation of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex or tours to Mount Geumgang should be reviewed in that context.
"The two-track talks will create a virtuous circle; talks to improve inter-Korean relations can help address the nuclear issue, and progress in the nuclear talks can help further improve inter-Korean relations."
Moon welcomed the reopening of talks and North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, but reaffirmed Seoul would abide by the international sanctions on Pyongyang because the nuclear issue has not been addressed.
"We alone may not be able to resume the Gaeseong complex and tours to the mountain as they are linked to the UNSC sanctions," he said. "If North Korea makes provocations again and does not show sincerity, international society will apply heavier pressure and tougher sanctions."
Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump taking credit for the inter-Korean talks, Moon said he also believes Trump played a big role, adding the U.S. and the international community's pressure may have helped lead the North to the talks.
"We seek to use the talks as momentum to improve inter-Korean relations and resolve the nuclear issue through dialogue. In that, Seoul and Washington have no different opinions. That's why the U.S. is supporting the inter-Korean talks and hoping they can address the nuclear issue," he said.
As to Japan's wartime sexual slavery of Korean women, Moon said the issue can be solved when Japan acknowledges its past wrongdoing and offers a sincere apology to the victims. The government said the previous day it would not seek a renegotiation of the 2015 Korea-Japan verbal agreement over the issue although it was "gravely flawed" and failed to reflect the victims' opinions.
The President also reaffirmed his determination to hold a referendum on a revision to the Constitution alongside the June local elections. "If the National Assembly's special committee on the revision is unable to present revision suggestions in time for the elections, the government may start preparing its own by collecting public opinion," Moon said.
Suspicions have recently emerged over alleged secret military deals with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Moon said Korea and the UAE have signed multiple military agreements and memoranda of understanding; but noted those signed under the Roh Moo-hyun administration were made public, while those signed under the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye governments were not.
In the economic sector, the President pledged efforts to create jobs for young people, reduce working hours, resume the tripartite talks for labor reform, eradicate hiring irregularities and reform chaebol governance.
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