By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Fatima Munoz from El Salvador

President Moon Jae-in's service in the 19th presidential term in Korea and his election symbolizes the desire for change in Korea. Currently, President Moon is in the headlines for the next and historic meeting to be held by the two Korean leaders, later this month. In this post, I will describe the profile of the president because after the April meetings, a great change could take place on the peninsula and his role is critical in all this.

The issue of the relationship between the two Koreas has been present in the life of the president, as he is the son of refugees from the North who fled to the South due to the consequences of the Korean War (1950-1953). During his childhood near Busan he lived in a country impoverished by conflict and poverty. However, he was able to study law at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, where he became a student leader. His role at the head of numerous demonstrations against the government caused him to be arrested several times. After completing his military service, he resumed his studies. His past as a pro-democracy leader caused him to be denied a seat as a judge. This was when he returned to Busan and met Roh Moo-hyun who would later be president of Korea between 2003 and 2008.

President Moon was involved in several lawsuits against human rights violations in his Busan law firm. After President Roh was elected in 2002, Moon held several positions as a government secretary. However, after the death of President Roh, Moon returned to Busan where he was elected to a seat in the National Assembly. He would not be in politics anymore. In 2012, however, he was the presidential candidate for the democratic party. It was the last year that he would win an election, which saw the largest turnout in 20 years.

The international press, with the arrival of President Moon Jae-in, gave indications that his election would mean a major policy change on behalf of Pyeongyang that could even propose a less confrontational approach with the North. Moon is now treated like a pragmatic politician who has removed the risk of possible confrontation and in an interview granted to CNN has assured the world that he believes that it will be a beneficial approach for both parties after so many years of conflict.

As you can see, his arrival in power represents the desire for change by addressing the issue with dialogue and understanding, trying to improve the current state of relations between the two Koreas. Up until last year was a very hostile time for a new era of dialogue and diplomacy. For example, after the Winter Olympic Games in February, North Korea and South Korea now have relations that are more cordial and, as a result, a summit has been agreed in the town of Panmunjeom in the middle of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

In addition, Moon aspires to be noticed in international politics, given his promise to return to make Korea a key player in any conflict with a neighboring country. This is evidence with his declarations and his hope for the summit as a historic milestone that will make peace possible on the Korean Peninsula. Finally, the foreign policy moves implemented by Moon seek to position Korea as a fundamental and essential actor in the decision-making process, not only concerning the North Korean conflict, but also in the other problems across Northeast Asia.

With this new chapter on the peninsula led by the Korean president, we hope that everything will happen with positive and peaceful results.

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.