The S. Korean president travels to Pyongyang Tuesday with a delegation that includes heads from some of the countries largest companies
South Korean President Moon Jae-in travels to Pyongyang Tuesday with a delegation numbering nearly 200, including leaders from some of the country’s largest companies, for his third summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The meeting will not only focus on issues related to denuclearization and improving Inter-Korean ties, but will serve as a platform to see if Moon can cement his role as facilitator between Pyongyang and Washington.
Skepticism remains over whether the North Korean leader is serious about denuclearization. Asan Institute for Political Studies Visiting Research Fellow Cheon Seong Whun told VOA, “It’s not crystal clear that Kim Jong Un and [the] North Korean regime is willing to give up all those nuclear weapons and programs.”
Moon’s focus
Seoul officials say Moon’s primary focus of the summit is to improve and develop inter-Korean relations. It’s expected that Moon and Kim will work to further implement the items outlined in the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration.
His second objective is to mediate and promote denuclearization dialogue between North Korea and the United States.
Washington and Pyongyang have been at odds over what should come first: denuclearization or declaring a formal end to the war, as the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. That has left North Korea still technically at war with the U. S.-led United Nations coalition.
Im Jong-seok, Inter-Korean Summit Preparation Committee Chair and Presidential Chief of Staff, told reporters that U. S. President Donald Trump has asked President Moon to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang and convey back to the American leader information from the North to move negotiations along.
At the summit’s conclusion, President Moon may also sign a „comprehensive military agreement.” That agreement was one of the points outlined in the Panmunjom Declaration, where Moon and Kim agreed to implement practical measures to prevent accidental clashes and ease military tensions.
