North Korea launched a series of new weapons over the past week, but also attacked Washington and Seoul for what it called hostility to the North. Experts say that North Korea’s actions suggest that it wants its rivals not to impose economic sanctions on it and to recognize it as a legitimate nuclear state.
Moon Jae-in, the President of the Korean Peninsula, stated that he will “make efforts to end to help a New Order for Peace and Prosperity on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy.”
Moon, who is a champion for greater reconciliation with North Korea was once shuttled between Pyongyang, Washington, and helped facilitate the now-stalled nuclear diplomacy. After its diplomatic relations with Washington ended in early 2019, Pyongyang turned its back on Moon. This was due to bickering about the sanctions.
Moon was praised for helping to create a peaceful process on the Korean Peninsula. He held three summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and helped organize the first ever North Korea-U.S. summit between Kim Jong Un in 2018 and Donald Trump.
Moon admitted that his efforts to promote peace through dialogue are still “incomplete.”
Moon’s five-year term expires next May and he is prohibited by law from running for reelection. Moon’s presidential candidate from the ruling liberal party has revealed a similar North Korea policy to Moon’s. According to surveys, there is a neck and neck race for a candidate of the ruling liberal party Moon. This potential candidate will likely take a more hard line against North Korea.
Moon’s appeasement policy towards North Korea has caused division. His supporters refer to him as a peace-making mediator, while his adversaries accuse him of helping North Korea weaken international pressure and improve its weapons systems.
Recent tests by North Korea have shown that they are primarily testing short- and medium range weapons, which places Japan and South Korea within their reach. In its largest weapons test since January, President Joe Biden’s first major weapon test was conducted by North Korea last Tuesday.
Experts believe that North Korea could test a longer-range missile, which could be a threat to the American homeland. This would allow it to exert more pressure on Washington over the coming weeks.
As part of his efforts in easing tensions, Moon recently pushed for a symbolic declaration to stop the 1950-53 Korean War. This war ended with an armistice and not a peace treaty. According to Moon’s office, when Moon meets Pope Francis at Vatican this week, they will discuss a possible North Korea visit by Francis, as Francis has expressed repeatedly his desire to visit the North.
The Unification Ministry of South Korea said Monday that it will work to realize Francis’ visit to North Korea, if the talks are successful. Lee Jong-joo, a spokesperson for the Unification Ministry, said that a North Korea visit would be a significant contribution to peace on Korea’s Peninsula.
