Richard Haass (left), president of the Council on Foreign Relations, is greeted by President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae on June 21. (Cheong Wa Dae)
By Lee Hana
President Moon Jae-in held a meeting with Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, at Cheong Wa Dae on June 21. Moon asked the foreign policy expert to "help spread a positive message about the Korea-U.S. alliance during the upcoming bilateral summit between the two countries."
The president said that the Korea-U.S. alliance forms the basis of Korea's diplomatic and national security policies, and expressed his hope that the two leaders would be able to build personal trust and friendship at next week's meeting. "I hope to resolve the North Korean nuclear weapons issue, through the process of complete denuclearization, and restore peace on the Korean Peninsula, all while building peace and security across Northeast Asia."
Haass, showing support for the president, said, "It's my hope also that the first meeting between our two heads of state will forge a deeper bond of trust and friendship, and help to strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance."