[Q&A] President Moon: "North Korea is likely facing various difficulties due to COVID-19"

President Moon: "We Are Not in a Position to Only Urge North Korea"... "Communication Between South and North Korea Continues Uninterrupted"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 10th during the Q&A session of the 'Special Speech on the 3rd Anniversary of the Presidential Inauguration' held at the Chuncheon Press Center briefing room regarding the progress of inter-Korean cooperation, "North Korea has not been responsive. I believe there are various difficulties due to the COVID-19 situation."

This implies that consideration must be given to North Korea's difficulties caused by the impact of the 'novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).' President Moon said, "Since international relief and diplomacy are generally at a standstill, I don't think we can keep pressuring North Korea continuously," adding, "Once COVID-19 subsides, we plan to continue dialogue and persuasion so that our proposals will be accepted by North Korea."

In this regard, President Moon stated, "We proposed priority cooperation in quarantine from the perspective of contributing to health safety. Quarantine cooperation is not only about COVID-19 but also applies to malaria and other human infectious diseases," and emphasized, "Since the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) lies between us and transmission can occur, if we cooperate and coordinate together, it would be a very practical project."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, President Moon emphasized, "It is worth actively and primarily pursuing this from the standpoint that it helps the health of all people in both South and North Korea, regardless of UN Security Council sanctions," and added, "Existing proposals such as connecting inter-Korean railroads, turning the DMZ into an international peace zone, allowing individual tourism, family reunions, visits to hometowns by displaced persons, and joint excavation of remains are all still valid."

Meanwhile, President Moon explained that although communication between North Korea and the United States is not smooth, it is still ongoing. He said, "Communication between South and North Korea and between North Korea and the United States is not currently smooth. However, communication has not been cut off and continues," adding, "Through communication, both South-North and North Korea-US sides are confirming their will for trust and harmony."

President Moon assessed, "So far, South and North Korea have prioritized promoting North Korea-US dialogue. If North Korea-US dialogue is concluded, obstacles hindering exchanges and cooperation between South and North Korea would be resolved at once, allowing inter-Korean relations to accelerate," but noted, "However, North Korea-US dialogue remains sluggish contrary to initial expectations, and it is uncertain when results can be achieved."

On the 10th, citizens at Seoul Station are watching President Moon Jae-in's special speech on the 3rd anniversary of his inauguration. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

President Moon explained, "Especially considering the US political schedule, this is even more true. What I propose now is not to only look at North Korea-US dialogue but to find and carry out things that can be done between South and North Korea."

He added, "There are situations not subject to existing UN Security Council sanctions and exceptions to the sanctions, so I am proposing that we work together. Since a second pandemic is expected, cooperating and coordinating in infectious disease quarantine would benefit the health safety of all people in both South and North Korea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.