South Korean President Moon Jae-in spoke with Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Lee Sun-jin and discussed events regarding North…
SEOUL, May 10 (Reuters) – South Korean President Moon Jae-in spoke with Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Lee Sun-jin and discussed events regarding North Korea, a spokesman for the joint chiefs said on Wednesday.
Lee was cited by the Yonhap News Agency earlier as telling Moon that South Korea’s military was ready to act at any moment should „the enemy engage in provocations“.
Moon, leader of South Korea’s liberals, will take the oath of office later on Wednesday after he comfortably won Tuesday’s presidential vote.
He comes to office at a time of heightened tension with isolated North Korea, which has pressed ahead with its nuclear and missile programmes in defiance of U. S. pressure and United Nations sanctions.
The phone call between Moon and Lee took place at 8: 10 a.m. (2310 GMT) , Lee’s spokesman said.
Under National Election Commission rules, Moon became president the moment the NEC confirmed his election victory because his predecessor, Park Geun-hye, was impeached. He will be formally sworn in later on Wednesday. (Reporting by Joyce Lee and Christine Kim; Editing by Richard Pullin and Paul Tait)
