President Moon Urged to Expedite Biden Meeting and Clear Misunderstandings of 'Anti-American Government'

National Security Strategy Institute 'The Korean Peninsula After the US Presidential Election' Forum
"Even if Not True, It Could Negatively Affect Future US-Korea Relations"
"South Korea Should Start with Actions Like Ratifying the Panmunjom Declaration"
"North Korea Focuses on Practical Needs... Proposal for Inter-Korean Meteorological Cooperation"

President Moon Jae-in making a phone call with Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, at the Blue House on the morning of the 27th of last month

As Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate, is effectively gaining the upper hand in the U.S. presidential election, attention is turning to the South Korean government's future response strategy. Experts advise that President Moon Jae-in and candidate Biden should meet promptly to strengthen ties between the two leaders and resolve unnecessary misunderstandings about the South Korean government within some circles in Washington.

◆"First, a phone call... Then quickly arrange a summit"

On the 5th, at the 2nd Jeonpa Forum, a diplomatic and security seminar held by the Institute for National Security Strategy (INSS) at the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun under the theme "What to Prepare for the Korean Peninsula After the U.S. Election," Shin Beom-chul, head of the Diplomatic and Security Center at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said, "President Moon should first make a phone call to candidate Biden."

Director Shin emphasized, "From a broad perspective, the summit should be expedited first," citing the example of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He noted, "Former Prime Minister Abe flew urgently to the U.S. during Donald Trump's president-elect period," which positively influenced the early formation of U.S.-Japan relations. Especially for advancing the Korean Peninsula peace process, he advised that rather than presenting various agendas at once, it is better to have one or two concrete plans when meeting Biden.

Additionally, Director Shin stressed the need to clear up misunderstandings about the Moon administration within U.S. political circles. He said, "There is a perception among U.S. bureaucrats and academia that 'the Moon administration does not prioritize the ROK-U.S. alliance,'" adding, "Whether this perception is true or not, it can put the South Korean government at a disadvantage in shaping relations with the U.S."

On the 5th, participants are engaged in a discussion at the Yeollin Transmission Forum held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul on the theme "The Korean Peninsula After the U.S. Presidential Election: What Should We Prepare For?" From the left: Shin Beom-cheol, Director of the Center for Foreign Affairs and Security at the Korea Institute for National Strategy; Park Won-gon, Professor at Handong University; Cho Dong-ho, Professor at Ewha Womans University; Lee Hye-jung, Professor at Chung-Ang University; Lee Jeong-cheol, Professor at Soongsil University.

◆"No rush for achievements within the term... North Korea policy must be long-term"

Professor Park Won-gon of Handong University urged the Moon administration to adopt a long-term approach to North Korea policy. Assuming that the current opposition party is unlikely to come to power in the next South Korean presidential election, Professor Park said, "It is highly likely that the current situation will continue," and called for active 'push and pull' diplomacy with North Korea. He warned against rushing to achieve results within the administration's term.

He emphasized, "It is necessary to avoid one-sided proposals to North Korea as done so far," adding, "(Negotiations) require pushing and pulling; if you only pull as is currently done, it is meaningless. You must not be impatient; push when pushing is needed and pull when pulling is needed."

Professor Lee Hye-jung of Chung-Ang University noted that it may take considerable time before the new U.S. administration is inaugurated and North Korea-U.S. negotiations get on track, suggesting that South Korea should focus on 'self-strengthening' during this period.

She pointed out that to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, not only North Korea-U.S. warming but also cooperation with China and other external factors are necessary, and South Korea tends to fall into helplessness thinking it cannot solve anything on its own, but there is no need for that.

She said, "The U.S. evaluates the value of the alliance by looking at South Korea's national power," adding, "Do not think you have no leverage; even small but practical steps can be prepared."

Professor Lee also proposed ratifying the 'April 27 Panmunjom Declaration' between President Moon and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. She stressed, "Since the ruling party currently holds the majority, we should start with what can be done, such as ratifying the Panmunjom Declaration," and "By institutionalizing this, we should build inter-Korean relations step by step."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un consecutively inspected the typhoon damage recovery sites along the East Coast, including Sinpo in South Hamgyong Province and Hongwon County, the Korean Central Television reported on the 15th of last month.

◆"North Korea shifting from values to profit orientation... Inter-Korean projects tailored to North Korean needs such as weather cooperation"

Lee Ki-dong, senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Strategy, first noted, "North Korea has recently been frequently using the term 'realistic,'" analyzing that it excludes romantic values like 'nation' and pursues practical benefits. This means North Korea aims for a thoroughly profit-centered approach in future inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. relations, and South Korea should pay attention to this.

Research Fellow Lee said, "Inter-Korean relations should not be pursued based on what South Korea wants to offer North Korea, but rather by considering what North Korea most desires at this point and whether it is realistically feasible, then building relations accordingly."

Representative items include inter-Korean weather cooperation and fertilizer support. He said, "North Korea recently suffered major flood damage and has a strong desire to establish a weather forecasting system," adding, "If weather cooperation is promoted at a knowledge-sharing level that does not violate sanctions, North Korea will sincerely appreciate it, and it can also benefit inter-Korean relations."

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