Denuclearization talks back on track

President Moon Jae-in holds a question-and-answer session during a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Sunday, about his second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, held on the North's side of the border village of Panmunjeom the previous day. / Yonhap

By Yi Whan-woo

The second summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shows Moon's determination to take the initiative on the path toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, according to officials and analysts, Sunday.

It also shows how serious Moon was in regaining momentum for cross-border dialogue over the U.S. and China factors that recently jeopardized a hard-earned chance for reconciliation and peace.

The second summit, proposed by Kim, Saturday, came after leaders of the two Koreas agreed on complete denuclearization of the peninsula in their previous meeting on April 27.

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled his planned summit with Kim slated for June 12 in Singapore, accusing Pyongyang of taking a bellicose tone with Washington after remaining at odds over possible denuclearization models.

Trump attributed influence from China in Pyongyang's change in tone, referring to Kim's surprise visit to China in early May and second meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Their meeting took place about 40 days after their previous summit in late March, which is extremely unusual for world leaders.

In a rare, low-key gesture toward the U.S., Friday, North Korea expressed willingness to hold the Kim-Trump summit. Kim then sought help from Moon, the self-proclaimed driver of Korean Peninsula-related affairs, to mediate and resolve animosity between the North and the U.S.

Moon expects US, NK to hold working-level dialogue 2018-05-27 17:02  |  Politics High-level inter-Korean talks to resume June 1 2018-05-27 17:03  |  Politics Moon, Kim vow to 'meet frequently in the future' 2018-05-27 09:30  |  North Korea Also for Moon, the Kim-Trump summit was essential to better implement joint declaration with Kim on April 27 and sign a peace treaty to officially end the 1950-53 Korean War.

On Sunday, Trump said he is still looking at a June 12 summit with Kim.

"Kim was believed to be seeking advice regarding his Singapore meeting with Trump. And he wanted Moon to do give it," said Kim Yong-hyun, a professor of North Korean studies at Seoul's Dongguk University. "It seems he wanted to listen to Trump's view on denuclearization and convey his will for denuclearization to Trump in a more convincing manner."

A Seoul foreign ministry official said Saturday's summit ensured Moon's role as a mediator between North Korea and the U.S.

The official claimed Moon's agreement with Kim to hold cross-border military talks also adds to building on momentum for peace.

Korean conservatives denounced Moon for failing to be in the "driver's seat" when North-U.S. relations took a turn despite Moon's visit to the White House last week.

"With Moon meeting both Trump and Kim last week, he at least helped leaders of the U.S. and North Korea engage in dialogue indirectly," the official said.

Some security experts speculated that North Korea is likely to cooperate with the U.S. on summit preparation faithfully. They pointed out that Pyongyang's state-controlled outlets reported Kim's promise to Moon to improve the Pyongyang-Washington relations, while putting efforts to establish "enduring and solid" system for peace on the peninsula.

Cho Sung-ryul, a senior researcher at Institute for National Security Strategy, said the two Koreas and the U.S. may capitalize on the momentum for dialogue and pursue a three-way summit right after the Trump-Kim meeting.

"Such joint talks among the three leaders can be possible in Singapore considering they are all among the parties involved in the Korean War and a possible peace treaty," Cho said.

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