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[2018 Inter-Korean Summit] President Moon likely to verify Pyeongyang’s denuclearization: experts

Apr 27,2018
Experts on Korean Peninsula issues share their views and prospects for the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit and future developments on the Korean Peninsula, at the “2018 Inter-Korean Summit: Super Preview” talk show at the KINTEX convention center in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do Province, on April 26.

Experts on Korean Peninsula issues share their views and prospects for the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit and future developments on the Korean Peninsula, at the “2018 Inter-Korean Summit: Super Preview” talk show at the KINTEX convention center in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do Province, on April 26.



Inter-Korean Summit Press Corps

One day before the historic 2018 Inter-Korean Summit, a series of talk shows took place on April 26 where experts on the Korean Peninsula gathered to discuss the agenda of the upcoming summit and prospects surrounding the Korean Peninsula after the summit.

Titled the “2018 Inter-Korean Summit: Super Preview,” the three-part talk show was organized by the summit preparation committee and was held at the Main Press Center for the summit set up at the KINTEX convention center in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do Province.

All of the panel members, from both Korea and overseas, put an emphasis on the issue of denuclearization, one of the main agenda items at the upcoming summit.

In regard to Pyeongyang’s actual desire for denuclearization, Moon Chung-in, a special advisor to President Moon Jae-in, said that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said to Director of National Security Chung Eui-yong in Pyeongyang that the North would have no reason to possess nuclear weapons should the safety of its regime be guaranteed. Special advisor Moon said, “Chairman Kim’s remark is meaningful in that I would find a possibility for denuclearization within his words.”

Special advisor Moon said, “I believe that President Moon Jae-in would want a written confirmation from the North for its commitment to denuclearization.”

“If President Moon were to get that, the summit would hold much more significance,” he added.

He also said that, “Both Seoul and the U.S. have a consensus on the definition of 'denuclearization,'” adding that there should be no difference in interpretations of the word.

The presidential special advisor said that the idea of complete denuclearization, which President Moon has been highlighting, is identical with Washington’s same goal of “complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantlement" of nuclear materials.

Moon Chung-in (right), special advisor to President Moon Jae-in, expresses his views on prospects for the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit and the summit between Washington and Pyeongyang, on the '2018 Inter-Korean Summit: Super Preview' talk show on April 26.

Moon Chung-in (right), special advisor to President Moon Jae-in, expresses his views on prospects for the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit and the summit between Washington and Pyeongyang, on the '2018 Inter-Korean Summit: Super Preview' talk show on April 26.




Regarding prospects for the summit between the U.S. and North Korea, Moon said that current developments are being led by the North, and that Pyeongyang might reveal some grand concession early on in the process. “If the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea have a concrete discussion on nuclear dismantlement or if Pyeongyang proposes it first, it would also be meaningful,” Moon added.

Other panel members emphasized that the Inter-Korean Summit holds great importance even if substantial results toward denuclearization are not made in the summit between the U.S. and North Korea.

Professor Kim Yong Hyun from Dongguk University said, “The upcoming Inter-Korean Summit will serve as a stepping stone to help frame the summit between Washington and Pyeongyang. The two Korean leaders need to have a candid discussion about the establishment of peace in a mutually thoughtful, considerate manner.”

Talk participants expressed expectations for forming an understanding on the declaration of the end to war.

Yang Moo-Jin, a professor of North Korean studies, said, “The declaration of war can be made only when the two Koreas, as well as the U.S. and China, reach an agreement.”

“I hope the two leaders can reach an agreement and make a joint statement after serious discussion, and when the Korean people support the talks, the summit will be able to produce a meaningful outcome for peace and for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and all of Northeast Asia.”

Kim Ji-yoon from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies also said, “As many Koreans would want the declaration of the formal end to war, if that's actually made after the upcoming Inter-Korean Summit, the world would value it quite highly, and many people in the U.S. would pay attention, too, as the summit between the U.S. and North Korea is to be held soon.”