문 대통령 "한반도 종전선언, 비핵화와 항구적 평화 여는 문"
Our top story this morning, President Moon Jae-in has called for a formal declaration to end the 1950-53 Korean War.
In his address to the UN General Assembly just a matter of hours ago,... he said peace on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia will begin with the declaration.
The South Korean leader also reiterated his call for cooperation against COVID-19 with North Korea,... and Seoul's other Asian neighbors.
Our Blue House corresponden Kim Min-ji reports.
A declaration to end the Korean War will open the door to complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.
That's according to President Moon Jae-in at the 75th Session of UN General Assembly.
Stressing the war must end completely and for good,... President Moon asserted that peace on the Peninsula can also help ensure cordial relations in Northeast Asia.
I hope that the UN and the international community provide support so we can advance into an era of reconciliation and prosperity through an end of war declaration. Peace on the Korean Peninsula will guarantee peace in Northeast Asia and going forward, it will bring positive changes to the world order.
President Moon's remarks are seen as a gesture to get the peace process back on track amid a prolonged standstill in inter-Korean relations,... and no significant progress in denuclearization talks between North Korea and the U.S since the no-deal Hanoi summit.
The call for an end-of-war declaration, however, is in contrast to Washington's position that corresponding measures have to come with the North's denuclearization.
But the clock is ticking for a meaningful breakthrough,... considering President Moon's time left in office and the U.S. presidential election in November.
He also vowed to do Seoul's part by continuing dialogue with Pyeongyang,... asking for support and cooperation from the international community.
Noting that the two Koreas are bound as one community,... President Moon said the COVID-19 crisis has shown that the security and safety of one country now requires cooperation that transcends borders.
To that end, the president reiterated his call for healthcare cooperation,... and proposed the launch of a body comprising South Korea's close neighbors.
I propose launching a 'Northeast Asia Cooperation Initiative for Infectious Disease Control and Public Health,' whereby North Korea participates as a member along with China, Japan, Mongolia and South Korea. A cooperative structure that guarantees collective protection of life and safety will lay the groundwork for North Korea to have its security guaranteed by engaging with the international community.
President Moon said he wishes to share not only Seoul's COVID-19 response,... but also the invaluable lessons it will gain from institutionalizing peace in turn, buttressing the UN's efforts to maintain international peace through collective measures.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.