Seoul, Moon calls for 'joint efforts' for Kim's visit to the South

The South Korean president made the speech at the beginning of the year. Best wishes for better relations between the two Koreas and new negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington. Diplomatic plans for 2020 outlined with the four major powers in the region.

Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - South Korean President Moon Jae-in (photo) has proposed that the two Koreas make concerted efforts so that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un can visit the country, as agreed.

 In his speech at the start of the year today, Moon also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the resumption of two important inter-Korean projects - the Kaesong industrial complex and the tourist development of Mount Kumgang - as well as the reconnection of roads and railways.

Moon traveled to Pyongyang in September 2018 for a second summit with Kim. This was the statement published after the talks ended: "President Kim Jong-un agreed to visit Seoul very soon at the invitation of President Moon Jae-in."

Reminding the North Korean leader of the promise, Moon called for better relations between the two Koreas and relaunched negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington. "Showing off military power and threats are not helpful to anybody," he says. "Our government will do everything possible to facilitate dialogue between North Korea and the United States."

In this sense, says the president, the urgency to explore "realistic ways" to further promote inter-Korean cooperation has become even "more indispensable". Moon expresses concern about a stalemate in the Pyongyang-Washington talks and the possible "regression" in relations between North and South. In his speech, he also underlines the importance of continuous sporting exchanges between the two countries, above all because they are trying to host the 2032 Olympics.

Finally, Moon outlines his diplomatic plans for 2020 with the four major powers in the region: his government will further strengthen the alliance with Washington, endeavoring to diversify the main partners through the New Southern Policy and the New Northern Policy; Seoul will make efforts so that relations with China can "leap forward".

As for Japan, which he called his "closest neighbor", the president calls for "future-oriented" bilateral ties. The prerequisite is the withdrawal of Japanese restrictions on exports to South Korea. “Russia - he finally declares - is the main partner of our government's New Northern Policy. This year, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries, I hope there is a new turning point ".

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