Moon Jae-in: "Kim Jong Un Should Return to the Spirit of Panmunjom... Sit Down Boldly with Trump"

Former President Moon Jae-in, marking the 8th anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration on April 27, called on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to "boldly sit down with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has shown a willingness for dialogue."

Attending the 8th anniversary ceremony of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration at the National Assembly on this day, former President Moon said, "I urge Chairman Kim: True security cannot be guaranteed by strengthening military power and raising the walls of isolation and severance." He added, "Just as we did eight years ago, I hope inter-Korean relations will once again serve as a bridge toward dialogue between North Korea and the United States."

Former President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook are attending the 8th anniversary ceremony of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on April 27, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

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Former President Moon emphasized, "In fact, communicating with the outside world and expanding exchanges is the most effective way to ensure safety." He continued, "I urge you to return to the spirit of the April 27 Panmunjom summit, open the door to dialogue in a forward-looking manner, work together with the Lee Jaemyung administration to once again draw the dream of a peaceful and prosperous Korean Peninsula, and move forward as a proud member of the international community."

He also addressed President Trump, saying, "Although America's and the international community's attention is divided due to conflicts around the world, the Korean Peninsula issue must never be pushed down the list of priorities or neglected, as it is a core national interest of the United States and a watershed moment for world peace." He emphasized, "There is no alternative to a diplomatic solution for resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula."

He went on to say, "I hope President Trump will demonstrate his characteristic decisiveness and wisdom to bring North Korea back to the table for dialogue."

Former President Moon said, "I hope President Trump will achieve the fruits of peace that could not be realized during his first term in his second term, and demonstrate a legacy of peace leadership that will be remembered in history."

Former President Moon also stressed that, for peace on the Korean Peninsula, the Lee Jaemyung administration "must solidify and build upon the achievements of previous governments and wisely overcome past limitations, starting a new relay for peace."

To this end, he proposed: ▲ declaring to the international community that the use of force on the Korean Peninsula is not permitted without South Korea's consent; ▲ firmly upholding the principle of independent national defense and the transfer of wartime operational control; ▲ pursuing pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests through strategic autonomy; and ▲ immediately restoring military communication lines and hotlines to prevent accidental clashes in border areas.

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