President Moon first brought out “complete denuclearization of North Korea” in the US security two-top

President Moon Jae-in met with Secretary of State Tony Blincoln and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of the US administration Joe Biden on the 18th to emphasize’complete denuclearization of North Korea’. It was reaffirmed that it was a joint goal between the two countries, perhaps because of the consciousness of the two ministers’ intensive remarks against North Korea the day before.

President Moon met with Ministers Blincoln and Austin for 50 minutes from 3pm in the reception room at the Blue House. President Moon called’denuclearization of the Korean peninsula’ and’settlement of permanent peace’ as “an urgent task for both countries,” and said, “I will do my best to realize a peace process on the Korean Peninsula including complete denuclearization of North Korea,” said Blue House spokesman Kang Min-seok.

In the joint statement adopted after the Korea-US diplomatic and defense ministers (2+2) meeting held earlier, there was no expression of’complete denuclearization of North Korea’ and’peace process on the Korean peninsula’. ‘The ministers of both countries emphasized that the North Korean nuclear and ballistic missile issue is the priority of the alliance.’ Accordingly, diplomats also suggested that the two sides of North America have failed to reach an agreement on the concept of’denuclearization of the Korean peninsula’.

Regarding the’temperature difference’ in the joint statement and President Moon’s remarks, a Blue House official said, “In the process of the Biden administration’s review of North Korea policy, it reflects the opinions and stances presented by Korea in North Korea policy.” Although opinions have not been fully coordinated, it seems to have actively explained the government’s position on the approach to North Korea. President Moon’s discussion of the denuclearization of North Korea is also interpreted as an intention to raise the North Korean issue as a priority in US foreign policy.

Over what President Moon said, “Korea and the United States share values ​​and philosophies such as democracy and human rights,” observations have been made that the issue of North Korean human rights has been discussed. This is because Secretary Blincoln criticized the human rights situation in North Korea the day before. Spokesman Kang drew a line that “there was no mention of human rights issues in North Korea,” but a senior Blue House official said, “The ROK and the United States share an interest in human rights in North Korea. We also have interests and concerns about human rights issues in North Korea. “He explained. It seems that the Korean government is conscious of the perspective that it is not passive about the North Korean human rights issue.

It is also noteworthy that he mentioned the government’s sanctions in Myanmar. President Moon said, “I strongly condemn the violent suppression of peace protests and the suppression of freedom,” and emphasized, “We will do our best to help restore democracy and peace in Myanmar as soon as possible. It highlighted the fact that South Korea is also partially participating in the’value alliance’ that the United States has emphasized. The US side said it was a “hostile, cooperative, and competitive relationship” with China, but the Blue House did not introduce President Moon’s reaction. This means that it has maintained’strategic ambiguity’ between the US and China. President Moon expressed his willingness to improve Korea-Japan relations for trilateral cooperation, but did not mention a specific method.

President Moon asked the two ministers on the day,’Is they satisfied with the results of the 2+2 talks?’ and the two ministers replied, “It was a very productive meeting that was able to discuss various issues.” The two ministers also stressed that the visit to Korea was “according to President Biden’s direct decision.” President Biden delivered a message through the two ministers saying,’I look forward to participating in the climate summit held by video in April’, and President Moon said, “I will be willing to attend.”

Shin Eun-byul reporter [email protected]

News directly edited by the Hankook Ilbo can also be viewed on Naver.