Moon resumes overtures to Japan, hopes for NK leader’s participation in ASEAN summit
President Moon Jae-in said Friday he would “embrace” Japan if it shifts to dialogue to end diplomatic and trade rifts between the two sides, again extending an olive branch to Tokyo.
He is scheduled to visit Thailand next week on a Southeast Asian trip that will also take him to Myanmar and Laos.
Moon voiced hope that Seoul and Tokyo will fulfill their responsibility “so that future generations in East Asia will be able to experience prosperity achieved through cooperation.”
The message showed that his administration has left the door open for talks with the neighboring country even after its decision last week to terminate a bilateral pact on sharing military intelligence, known as the General Security of Military Information Agreement.
The measure came after Japan snubbed the president’s overtures in his Aug. 15 Liberation Day speech. He said Korea would “gladly join hands” if Japan chooses dialogue and cooperation.
However, Tokyo pressed ahead with the removal of Seoul from its whitelist of trusted trade partners handling strategic materials, a step that went into effect Wednesday.
Presiding over a Cabinet meeting Thursday on next year’s state budget proposal, Moon hit out at Japan. He urged Japan to be “honest” regarding its economic retaliation over an issue related to its colonization of Korea from 1910-45. He demanded that Tokyo “look squarely at the past.”
In the interview with the Thai newspaper, however, Moon reaffirmed that he’s placing priority on resolving the standoffs via diplomacy.
“The Korean Government intends to resolve the issue diplomatically through dialogue,” he said. “It makes no sense to hurt each other’s economy because of issues that lie outside of the economic realm. A vicious cycle of response and counter response is not desirable.”
He also requested that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations “work together to steer Japan to the path of dialogue and diplomatic consultation.”
Asked about his position on inviting North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to the South Korea-ASEAN special summit and the South Korea-Mekong summit to be held in Busan in November, Moon said he hopes for it.
“It would be a very meaningful occasion for peace on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia, if Chairman Kim is given the chance to join the gathering with 10 leaders from ASEAN countries,” he said.
He attached a precondition, saying the decision on whether to invite Kim should be made in consideration of progress being made in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula, including Washington-Pyongyang dialogue.
While Kim has made clear his commitment to complete denuclearization for economic development of his nation, Moon added, “What matters most is for North Korea to actually put denuclearization into concrete action.”
He said, “I hope that ASEAN will play a big role in helping North Korea abandon its nuclear programs and stand together with all of us through economic cooperation.”
He noted that ASEAN has served as an important communication channel between the North and the international community.
In 2000, North Korea joined the ASEAN Regional Forum under Thailand’s auspices, which remains the only regional security consultative forum with the communist nation as an official member.
Historic summits between North Korea and the US took place in Singapore and Vietnam, which demonstrates the “immensely constructive role” that ASEAN is playing in the Korea peace process, according to Moon.
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