[Yonhap News Photo]
SINGAPORE -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in envisaged a bright picture for North Korea if it faithfully implements an agreement on denuclearization, suggesting the international community should help the isolated country become a responsible economic partner.
In a lecture hosted by the Institute of South East Asian Studies in Singapore Friday, Moon praised North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for showing a strong desire to end a decades-long ideological confrontation and develop North Korea into a normal state.
"If Chairman Kim Jong-un keeps his promise to denuclearize, he may be able to lead his country to prosperity," Moon said, admitting denuclearization is not easy because previous accords have been ditched in the process of implementing them.
"However, what is completely different this time is that the leaders of the North and the U.S. met directly and reached an agreement," the president said. "We must create a chance for North Korea to fulfill its role as a responsible member of the international community."
If denuclearization leads to the removal of sanctions, economic cooperation between North Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be revitalized and contribute to their economic development, Moon said.
"The establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula will not stop there, but create a new growth engine for all countries in the region, including ASEAN, by creating a link between the economies of ASEAN, South Korea, North Korea and Eurasia," he said.
South Korea will try to draw up a new picture, based on complete denuclearization and peace on the Korean peninsula, Moon said, warning U.S. and North Korean leaders would face severe judgment from the international community if they break their promise.
"If Chairman Kim Jong-un keeps his promise to denuclearize, he may be able to lead his country to prosperity," Moon said, admitting denuclearization is not easy because previous accords have been ditched in the process of implementing them.
"However, what is completely different this time is that the leaders of the North and the U.S. met directly and reached an agreement," the president said. "We must create a chance for North Korea to fulfill its role as a responsible member of the international community."
If denuclearization leads to the removal of sanctions, economic cooperation between North Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be revitalized and contribute to their economic development, Moon said.
"The establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula will not stop there, but create a new growth engine for all countries in the region, including ASEAN, by creating a link between the economies of ASEAN, South Korea, North Korea and Eurasia," he said.
South Korea will try to draw up a new picture, based on complete denuclearization and peace on the Korean peninsula, Moon said, warning U.S. and North Korean leaders would face severe judgment from the international community if they break their promise.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
