By Sohn JiAe
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae

President Moon Jae-in held talks with his special envoys to the U.S., China and Japan at Cheong Wa Dae on May 24 where he was briefed on the outcome of their recent trips to their respective countries.

“My choice of you three as special envoys has been well received, and the outcomes that you’ve generated during your trips to the U.S., China and Japan, too, have received rave reviews,” said President Moon in the meeting.

“You have exchanged candid opinions on a wide range of issues with the leaders of the three nations,” the president said. “Our diplomacy had been operating in a vacuum, but now it appears that you envoys have completely filled the gap. I’m grateful for what you've done,” he added.

As for thorny diplomatic issues, like the deployment of the THAAD missile system at home and a controversial agreement with Japan over the sexual enslavement of women by the Japanese army during World War Ⅱ, President Moon said, “I believe that we have said what needed to be said. Delivering such clear messages is meaningful in a way that will help set the agenda for summit talks with the three leaders in the near future.”



“I’ve identified possibilities for a series of good outcomes in dealing with pending issues if Korea and the U.S. share their fair share of responsibilities in doing that,” said the envoy to the U.S. Hong Seok-hyun. “Now that the U.S. puts issues concerning North Korea at the top of its agenda, this is a golden opportunity for us to solve issues related to North Korean nuclear weapons programs,” Hong said.

“Chinese President Xi Jinping hopes to hold a summit with President Moon pretty soon,” said the special envoy to China, Lee Hae-chan.

The envoy to Japan, Moon Hee-sang, said, “Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, too, hopes for a Korea-Japan summit at the earliest time possible, which would hopefully help to restore credibility between our two countries. He also said that we will continue together to pursue future-oriented ties.”

jiae5853@korea.kr