PRESIDENT MOON ON INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS

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In his New Year's address, President Moon Jae-in proposed the two Koreas work together to create conditions to realize North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's visit to South Korea. Expressing his will to pursue Kim's visit, which did not happen last year, Moon appears to be seeking to facilitate North Korea-US relations through the improvement of inter-Korean ties.

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President Moon Jae-in has expressed regret over the lack of progress in inter-Korean cooperation in the past year and proposed the two Koreas make concerted efforts. He again proposed projects in border region cooperation such as creating a joint fishery ground in the West Sea as well as transforming the demilitarized zone into an international peace zone and connecting the railways of the two Koreas. Moon also mentioned fielding inter-Korean teams for the Tokyo Olympics and realizing the North Korean leader's visit to South Korea.

[Soundbite] PRES. MOON JAE-IN : "I hope the two Koreas will work together to create the conditions for N. Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit S. Korea."

The president wants to produce momentum in cross-border relations in an effort to break the stalemate between Pyongyang and Washington. His remarks underscore the urgency to create a breakthrough by all means as Korean Peninsula affairs in the current stage cannot depend solely on the prospects of North Korea-US dialogue. His proposals are known to have come after internal discussions about to what degree inter-Korean relations would be referred to in his New Year speech. The presidential office believes the suggestions laid out can be supported by the South Korean people while also leaving room for cooperation from North Korea. But the top office stressed the importance of North Korea-US dialogue remains unchanged. President Moon also pledged efforts for inter-Korean projects to connect roads and railways, the resumption of South Korean tourism to Mount Kumgang and resuming operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex. But these areas require the lifting of global sanctions on Pyongyang and as Washington objects sanctions relief without North Korea's denuclearization, conflicting views may occur between South Korea and the U.S. Following Moon's speech, the ruling Democratic Party said it will strive to help achieve the administration's policy goals. The main opposition Liberty Korea Party said the president showcased his delusional view on North Korea and peace.