Cheong "Reconfirms Pope's Willingness for North Korea Visit... Open to Dialogue with Japan"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House evaluated President Moon Jae-in's solo meeting with Pope Francis after three years by saying that "the Pope's intention to visit North Korea was reaffirmed." Regarding whether he would meet Japanese Prime Minister Kishida at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the Blue House repeated a general response that "we are open to dialogue with Japan."

On the 29th (local time), a Blue House official responded to reporters' questions about whether there were discussions on the specific timing and method of the North Korea visit, saying, "It seems meaningful in that we once again confirmed the Pope's intention to visit North Korea."

When asked if there was a similar signal this time as in the 2018 meeting when President Moon conveyed North Korea's invitation intention, the official reiterated the Blue House's position, saying, "I would like to say that the government has been continuously striving for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of lasting peace."

Regarding whether President Moon conveyed North Korea's position or any letters to the Pope, the Blue House official replied, "I have not received any information related to that."

When asked if President Moon and President Biden, who met the Pope that day, briefly crossed paths or if their routes overlapped, the official said, "They did not meet as the entrance and exit were different." Regarding the schedule of the South Korea-US summit, the official only responded, "Regarding the meeting between the South Korea-US leaders, both sides are communicating, and there is nothing to mention at this time."

Following the G20 summit, there is speculation about the possibility of a South Korea-Japan summit coinciding with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida's attendance at COP26 to be held in Glasgow, UK, early next month. In response, a Blue House official said, "There is currently nothing to confirm regarding a meeting between the South Korea-Japan leaders," and reiterated the existing position, "As always, our government is open to dialogue with Japan."

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