The South Korean President Moon Jae In who just concluded his third meeting with the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year
SEOUL, South Korea — The South Korean President Moon Jae In, who just concluded his third meeting with the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year — has painted a picture of peace on the Korean peninsula.
Addressing North Koreans on Thursday, the South Korean President Moon Jae In delivered a speech to an audience of some 150,000 people in Pyongyang, and told the crowd, «We had lived together for five thousand years but apart for just 70 years.»
Speaking to the «citizens of Pyongyang, fellow Koreans,» Moon said, «Here, at this place today, I propose we move forward toward the big picture of peace in which the past 70-year-long hostility can be eradicated and we can become one again.»
According to reports, the crowd cheered wildly as Moon Jae In addressed them in Pyongyang, expressing hope of a better future.
In his speech, the South Korean leader pointed out that he and the North Korean leader «had agreed to measures that would completely eliminate the fear of war and the risk of armed conflicts on the Korean Peninsula.»
The speech, which came on the final day of the summit, came after the two Korean leaders took a symbolic step toward peace, traveling outside the capital to visit Mount Paektu, which is the famous and revered volcano.
The mythical mountain, which is the highest point on the Korean Peninsula is situated along North Korea’s border with China and reports pointed out that it is featured in South Korea’s national anthem and various North Korean propaganda material.
Standing in front of Heaven Lake — a lake in the caldera of the sacred volcano, the two leaders posed for photos along with their wives.
The speech by Moon Jae In also came a day after the two leaders released a joint declaration, in which they vowed to pursue peace, establish new communication channels and develop new economic ties.
Further, at the end of the summit, Moon Jae In said that he would pass along Kim Jong Un’s messages for the U. S. and the Trump administration.
According to the South Korean president, the message that his North Korean counterpart wants to deliver to the U. S. is aimed at speeding up the process of denuclearization.
A summary released by the Pyongyang Press Corps noted that Kim Jong Un wants the U. S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to visit Pyongyang to hurry the denuclearization process, as part of which North Korea aims to set up another summit with Trump «as soon as possible.»
A report in South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency noted that Moon Jae In is expected to meet Trump in New York next week.
He would reportedly be visiting New York to attend the UN General Assembly.
Meanwhile, in reaction to the comments made by the two Korean leaders, Pompeo said in an interview with Fox News, «The relationship between Chairman Kim and President Trump is good. I talk to my counterparts there with some frequency. It doesn’t get reported. I’m glad about that; I’m glad we’re able to keep that quiet. And so we’re making the progress that we need.»
