President Moon Meets Australian Foreign and Defense Ministers... Requests Australia's Support for North Korea Dialogue Resumption

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in met with Marise Payne, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Peter Craig Dutton, Australian Minister for Defence, who are visiting Korea on the 13th, and requested Australia's support for the resumption of dialogue with North Korea.

President Moon met the two ministers at the Blue House on the same day and said, "Australia is a country that has diplomatic relations with both South and North Korea simultaneously, and I appreciate Australia's expression of support for our government's efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula."

At the meeting, Minister Payne said, "I visited Korea as Minister for Defence in 2017, at a time when the risk of North Korean nuclear provocations was high," adding, "There were issues in Korea-China relations, but since then, there have been changes in the strategic environment in the region."

Minister Dutton also said, "I am well aware of President Moon's leadership and guidance in efforts for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "For the shared values of our two countries and the stability of the Indo-Pacific region, the two countries must continue dialogue and cooperation, especially in the defense sector."

In response, President Moon said, "Our government has consistently maintained the position that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to achieve the goal of complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "I ask for Australia's unwavering support and cooperation so that efforts to resume dialogue with North Korea can bear fruit."

President Moon evaluated the visit of Australia's foreign and security chiefs on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, stating that it reflects Australia's will to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

He also emphasized that Australia has cooperated broadly based on the ties formed during the Korean War, saying, "As a middle power representing the Asia-Pacific region and a model democracy, the two countries should strengthen strategic communication in various global fields."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

During the meeting, discussions on carbon neutrality also took place. When President Moon asked about Australia's response, saying, "Many EU countries have been reducing carbon emissions over a long period based on the 1990s when greenhouse gases peaked, but Korea faces difficulties in reducing emissions in a short period since 2018," Minister Payne replied, "We are reducing carbon emissions by focusing on the development of low-carbon emission technologies and expanding renewable energy such as solar power."

In addition, President Moon emphasized that Korea and Australia face similar challenges in managing relations with the U.S. and China well, and in that regard, strategic communication with Australia is necessary.

Meanwhile, Minister Payne conveyed that Australian Prime Minister Morrison is looking forward to President Moon's visit, and President Moon responded, "I hope to visit Australia, but if an in-person meeting is difficult, we will hold a video conference."

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