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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Former President Moon Urges Kim Jong Un to Engage with Trump, Calls for Wartime Control Transfer

From Hankyoreh · (5m ago) Korean Mixed tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in urged North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to engage in dialogue with then-U.S. President Donald Trump, referencing the 2018 Panmunjom Declaration.
  • Moon emphasized that escalating military power and isolation would not guarantee security, advocating for a return to the spirit of the Panmunjom summit to improve inter-Korean relations and facilitate North Korea-U.S. talks.
  • He also called for the transfer of wartime operational control to South Korea, asserting it would not weaken the ROK-U.S. alliance.

On the 8th anniversary of the historic April 27 Panmunjom Declaration, former President Moon Jae-in has issued a powerful call for renewed dialogue and peace on the Korean Peninsula. Speaking at a commemorative event, Moon directly addressed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, urging him to seize the opportunity for engagement with former U.S. President Donald Trump, echoing the spirit of their 2018 summit.

I urge Chairman Kim Jong Un to boldly sit down with President Donald Trump, who has shown a willingness to talk.

— Moon Jae-inEncouraging North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to engage in dialogue with former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Moon's message underscored a stark contrast with the current administration's approach to North Korea. He criticized the Yoon Suk-yeol government's 'regressive' policy, stating it has halted the peace process and deepened the divide between the two Koreas. He implored the current administration, led by President Lee Jae-myung, to build upon past achievements and initiate a new 'relay of peace.' This perspective highlights a deep-seated desire among many in South Korea for a return to engagement diplomacy, viewing the current tensions as a dangerous departure from the progress made during Moon's tenure.

You cannot guarantee true security by increasing military power and raising walls of isolation and separation.

— Moon Jae-inAdvising Kim Jong Un against relying solely on military buildup for security.

The former president also touched upon the critical issue of transferring wartime operational control (OPCON) to South Korea. He reiterated his long-held stance that this transfer is an essential step towards self-defense and would not undermine the vital alliance with the United States. This point is particularly significant in South Korea, where the debate over OPCON is often framed as a matter of national sovereignty and military readiness.

I hope you will use the improvement of inter-Korean relations as a bridge to advance North Korea-U.S. dialogue, just as you did eight years ago.

— Moon Jae-inSuggesting that progress in inter-Korean relations can facilitate North Korea-U.S. talks.

From a South Korean perspective, Moon's remarks are not just a nostalgic reflection on past diplomatic achievements but a pointed critique of current inter-Korean relations and a plea for a more proactive peace strategy. While Western media might focus on the geopolitical implications of North Korea-U.S. relations, South Koreans are acutely aware of the immediate impact of inter-Korean tensions on their daily lives and national security. Moon's call to action, therefore, resonates deeply as a reminder of a time when dialogue seemed more promising and a vision for a peaceful, unified Korea felt within reach.

The Korean Peninsula issue is a core U.S. national interest that must never be pushed to the back burner, and it is a turning point for world peace.

— Moon Jae-inEmphasizing the importance of the Korean Peninsula issue for U.S. interests and global peace.
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Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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