Input 2021.01.21 16:34
“The largest trading partner in China, a key partner in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula”
Japan should use the Tokyo Olympics as an opportunity to advance peace in Northeast Asia.”
President Moon Jae-in was inaugurated as US President Joe Biden on the 21st, saying, “The government will continue to cooperate closely with the new government of the United States to advance the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.” He said, “Where there is a will, there is a way,” he said. “I will do my best to return to the path of dialogue and cooperation with North Korea.”
“The peace process on the Korean peninsula is not an option, but a path that must be followed.” Said.
President Moon said, “I sincerely congratulate President Biden on the inauguration of President Biden on the 20th (local time), and “I wish to rebuild a better United States amidst the unity of the people.” He said, “I look forward to further strengthening the ROK-US alliance with our government.”
Regarding the inauguration of the Biden administration, President Moon said, “The order in the Indo-Pacific region including the Korean peninsula is entering a period of rapid transition.” “It’s time to make it.”
The first country mentioned among neighboring countries was China. President Moon said that China is “as our largest trading partner and as a major partner in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula,” he said. “In the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year, we will have to lay the groundwork for further advanced relations.”
When it comes to Japan, it is expressed as “the neighboring country.” He said, “We must not stay in the past, but gather wisdom together and develop into a constructive and future-oriented relationship.” President Moon said, “In particular, we should cooperate so that this year’s Tokyo Olympics can be successfully held as a corona-safe event, and use it as an opportunity to improve Korea-Japan relations and advance peace in Northeast Asia.”
The government is pushing ahead with ways to make the Tokyo Olympics an opportunity to resume dialogue between the two Koreas. During the Tokyo Olympics, it is also possible that Kim Jong-un, the head of the North Korean State Council, or his younger sister Kim Yeo-jeong, the vice president of the Labor Party visited.
President Moon said of Russia that “we will develop a more substantial and strategic partnership.” He also said, “We need to further strengthen cooperation with ASEAN (ASEAN and Southeast Asian Nations) countries to further expand the breadth and depth of the New Southern and New Northern policies, which is a great diplomatic achievement of our government.”
When it comes to defense, President Moon said, “A strong defense is the foundation of peace.” He said, “For 4 years in our government, the increase rate of defense budget recorded 7%, and since last year we have opened an era of 50 trillion won in defense spending,” he said. He also asked the Ministry of National Defense to “show outstanding capabilities for the safe transportation of vaccines.”
This NSC plenary meeting was held to forecast the situation in the field of foreign affairs and security with the launch of the Biden administration, and to discuss the direction of the Korean government’s response. Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa, Unification Minister Lee In-young, Defense Minister Seo-wook, and National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won attended. President Moon received a business report in 2021 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Security. In addition to Kim Tae-yeon, the Democratic Party’s in-house representative also attended the work report.