Moon: "Comprehensive Partnership with US on Vaccine Cooperation... Agreement on Ending Missile Guidelines" (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in announced that through the Korea-US summit, the two countries agreed to form a global comprehensive partnership for vaccine cooperation. He also reaffirmed the mutual will for the transfer of wartime operational control and emphasized that they agreed to end the missile guidelines. The two countries also agreed to cooperate on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

On the 21st (local time), President Moon said at a press conference immediately after the Korea-US summit at the White House, "We will promote vaccine production by combining the US's vaccine development capabilities with Korea's biopharmaceutical production capabilities."

President Moon emphasized, "The cooperation between the two countries will accelerate the end of COVID-19 through vaccine production for the whole world," adding, "This is an important announcement that can demonstrate the solidity of the Korea-US alliance within the broad framework of vaccine cooperation." He also expressed gratitude for President Biden's announcement of vaccine supply to the Korean military.

President Moon stressed that this cooperation "will contribute more to vaccine supply in the Indo-Pacific region," and "in the process, it will greatly help Korea secure vaccines stably."

Regarding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, he said that the two countries will communicate closely and seek a North Korea approach through dialogue and diplomacy, urging positive responses from North Korea.

President Moon said, "I welcome the Biden administration's diplomatic direction to seek diplomacy with North Korea through realistic and practical consultations based on past agreements such as the Singapore joint statement," and "I highly appreciate the close cooperation between the two countries." He also welcomed the Biden administration's appointment of Sung Kim as the special representative for North Korea, saying, "He is an expert with outstanding expertise on the Korean Peninsula issue, and expectations are high."

Regarding a reporter's question about whether the two leaders' denuclearization timetables align, President Moon replied, "There is no difference in thoughts between the two countries regarding the denuclearization timetable," adding, "The fact that the Biden administration quickly completed the review of North Korea policy means that the Biden administration prioritizes North Korea policy."

President Biden also said, "I agree with President Moon," adding, "We will maintain the policy of safe denuclearization and complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and work together with the US allies." However, he also hinted at a subtle difference in tone by saying, "We cannot give everything that North Korean General Secretary Kim Jong-un wants," and "We will see Kim Jong-un's willingness for denuclearization."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the security sector, "We reaffirmed the will of both countries to strengthen the combined defense posture and transfer wartime operational control," and "I am pleased to announce the end of the missile guidelines," he said.

On that day, President Moon said, "We also agreed to cooperate to establish a safety net in advanced fields including semiconductors, electric vehicle batteries, and pharmaceuticals," adding, "We will cooperate in areas such as 6G and green energy to respond to the post-COVID era, and strengthen cooperation for joint entry into overseas nuclear power markets."

Regarding climate crisis response, he emphasized, "Following last month's US Climate Summit, Korea will once again gather its will on climate change through the P4G meeting," and welcomed President Biden's decision to attend the Seoul P4G meeting via video next week.

President Moon emphasized that he attended the Korean War veterans' Medal of Honor award ceremony together with President Biden, saying, "With the noble sacrifice of heroes, based on the Korea-US alliance, the two countries will open a new future," and "The meeting between President Biden and me, the meeting between the US and Korea, will be a new milestone for bilateral cooperation toward a new era." He also praised President Biden's efforts regarding the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas the previous day.

It is known that the Taiwan issue was also discussed during the summit talks. Regarding a question about whether there was any unspoken pressure to "take a strong stance" on Taiwan, President Moon said, "There was no such pressure," but added, "However, we shared the recognition that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are extremely important, and considering the special nature of cross-strait relations, the two countries agreed to cooperate on that part."

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