By Yoon Sojung

President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the outcomes of the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit on the evening of April 28. The two leaders also agreed to work together so that the U.S.-North Korea summit can be also successful.

Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom said in a written press briefing on April 29 that President Moon and U.S. President Donald Trump held a 75-minute telephone conversation starting at 9:15 p.m. Korea-time.

"President Trump praised the remarkable developments achieved in the latest Inter-Korean Summit,” said the presidential spokesperson.

President Trump appreciated the fact that the Panmunjeom Declaration brought very welcome news, not only for the two Koreas but also for the broader world as a whole, as the two Koreas confirmed the common goal of realizing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula through complete denuclearization, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim. The U.S. leader also expressed his empathy for the agreement between the two Koreas on the declaration of a formal end to war.

President Moon told the U.S. leader that, “President Trump’s bold and big decision greatly contributed to realizing the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit and the Washington-Pyeongyang summit. The success of the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit will lay the foundation for the success of the U.S.-North Korean summit.”

The Korean and U.S. leaders agreed to closely consult with each other so as to ensure the success of the U.S.-North Korea summit. President Trump expressed his expectations for the upcoming summit, saying that he is “looking forward to the summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with a very good outcome.” The U.S. president also said that he will always receive President Moon’s phone call as a first priority, emphasizing the importance of the Seoul-Washington alliance.

In regard to the time and place of the U.S.-North Korea summit, the two leaders agreed that the summit would be better if held as soon as possible in order to continue the momentum of success seen at the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit.

They also narrowed the possible summit venues to two or three places and discussed the pros and cons of each area, said the presidential spokesperson.

arete@korea.kr