By Yoon Sojung

President Moon Jae-in will make a trip to European countries from Oct. 13 to 21. His nine-day itinerary includes the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and Summit Meetings in Brussels, Belgium and the Vatican.

While meeting Pope Francis, President Moon will deliver an invitation to the Pope from Chairman Kim Jong Un of North Korea to visit Pyeongyang, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom said on Oct. 9 at the press briefing in Chunchugwan Press Center that, “President Moon will visit the Vatican on Oct. 17 and 18 to reaffirm the blessing and support of the Holy See and discuss future cooperation for the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.”

In regard to the background of Chairman Kim’s invitation for the Pope, the presidential spokesperson explained that President Moon proposed to the North Korean leader the idea of inviting the Pope to the North during the latest inter-Korean summit in Pyeongyang.

At that time, the Chairman Kim said he would “ardently welcome the Pope if he visits Pyeongyang,” according to the spokesperson.

When Archbishop Hyginus Kim Hee-joong of the South, who accompanied President Moon on the way to visit Baekdusan Mountain, told the North leader that he would tell the Vatican that the two Koreas are moving toward reconciliation and peace, Chairman Kim said, “Yes, please,” the spokesperson added.

In this regard, Greg Burke, the director of the Holy See’s Press Office, said in a statement on Oct. 9 that, “Pope Francis will receive South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Oct. 18.”

“The president will carry a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un,” said the statement.

The Holy See’s Press Office also said that, “Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will preside over a “Mass for Peace” on the Korean Peninsula in Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica, in which President Moon will participate.”

Prior to visit to the Vatican, President Moon will visit France and Italy from Oct. 13 to 17 in order to look for ways to develop bilateral cooperation in a future-looking manner. He will look for measures to boost cooperation in diplomacy and security between Korea and France, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

In regard to the Korea-Italy cooperation, President Moon will focus on the bilateral cooperation in new growth engine industries as Italy has strength in high-tech and new industries.

While in Brussels, Belgium, from Oct. 18 and 19, he will participate in ASEM which will be held on the theme “Europe and Asia: Global Partners for Global Challenge.”

In ASEM, the president will propose ways which Korea’s vision of inclusive growth can contribute to the sustainable growth of the international community.

President Moon also will hold a summit meeting with President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, to discuss ways to develop the 55-year-long strategic cooperation between Korea and the EU while in Brussels.

“The E.U. is a large pillar that supports and sustains the international order,” said the presidential spokesperson.

“The outcomes we will achieve with the E.U. will greatly contribute to forming a new order in Northeast Asia,” he added.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, the last leg of his trip from Oct. 19 to 21, President Moon will participate in the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G). In the P4G, he will discuss cooperative measures in both the public and private level for dealing with global issues such as climate change and sustainable growth, and emphasize the importance of supporting developing countries.

Regarding the significance of the upcoming presidential trip, Spokesperson Kim said, “It will offer an opportunity to strengthen and spread the new order and the new flow which have been formed in Northeast Asia and have begun to receive international support.”

arete@korea.kr