Moon meets US officials, says S. Korea-US cooperation is prerequisite to peace

Posted on : 2021-03-19 16:55 KST Modified on : 2021-03-19 17:04 KST
South Korean President reminds US officials that South Korea-US cooperation helped alleviate the North Korea crisis in 2017
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pose for a portrait before their meeting at the Blue House Thursday. (Yonhap News)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pose for a portrait before their meeting at the Blue House Thursday. (Yonhap News)

South Korean President Moon Jae-in emphasized the importance of the South Korea-US alliance along with the need for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace in the region, during his first meeting with senior Biden administration officials Thursday.

While meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Blue House Thursday, Moon said that the situation on the Korean Peninsula in 2017 – the year he became president – was so inimical to peace that the peninsula was “full of the dark clouds of war.” He further noted that it was fortunate that the US and South Korea were able to cooperate to ensure the peninsula has remained peaceful ever since.

The “dark clouds of war” and the situation “inimical to peace” Moon mentioned during the meeting refer to the intensifying conflict and peace-threatening situation that developed between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un due to North Korea’s missile launches in 2017, Moon’s first year in the presidency. His mention of the situation four years ago appears to be an attempt to remind the US that it was South Korean-US cooperation that helped alleviate the crisis and bring about the Singapore Declaration, among other diplomatic successes.

In response, Blinken stated that the US would continue to “closely communicate” with openness towards its ally during the process of reviewing North Korea policy, according to the Blue House.

Blinken also said that President Biden was looking forward to Moon’s participation in an upcoming climate-related summit to be held remotely in April. Both Blinken and Austin explained to Moon that their visit to South Korea was directly due to a “decision” made by Biden.

During the meeting, Moon and the two US representatives shared opinions on the situation in Myanmar. Moon said that the South Korean people conducted protests against a military dictatorship through the Gwangju Democracy Movement 40 years ago, later achieving democracy, and thus deeply understand the Myanmar people’s desire for democratization. He also noted that South Korea “strongly condemns” the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations and freedom of the Myanmar people.

Moon also expressed his deep condolences toward the families of those killed in the shocking Atlanta spa shootings and expressed thanks for the US expression of sympathy toward the deaths of those of Korean descent.

The Blue House reported that Blinken thanked the South Korean government for its concerns.

By Lee Wan, staff reporter

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]

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