Moon proposes 'sincere' dialogue on ending diplomatic standoff

By Park Sae-jin Posted : May 10, 2017, 14:41 Updated : May 10, 2017, 14:41

[Yonhap Photo]


President Moon Jae-in pledged active and bold diplomacy to protect South Korea's national interests, saying he was ready to open quick and sincere dialogue with US and Chinese leaders on ending a diplomatic standoff over the deployment of a US missile shield.

Moon made his overture after he took the oath of office in an inauguration ceremony in parliament. "I will endeavor to solve our diplomatic crisis at an early date," he said in his official speech as president.

He said he was willing to fly straight to Washington, if necessary, and visit Beijing and Tokyo as well. "I will go to Pyongyang under the right circumstances."

With a promise to strengthen a security alliance with the United States, Moon suggested he was ready to start sincere negotiations with Washington and Beijing on a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system which has caused a diplomatic headache.

The system has strained relations between Seoul and Beijing. US President Donald Trump insisted he wants Seoul to pay one billion US dollars for the cost of operating it and increase the cost of stationing US troops and their equipment on the Korean peninsula.

The US missile shield has been a controversial issue because its installation was endorsed by ex-president Park Geun-hye who was impeached and jailed for her involvement in a corruption scandal.

Moon has expressed his willingness to use the missile shield as a "diplomatic card" as many South Koreans feel bullied by the two superpowers which have been locked in a tug of war over the missile shield.

Since US troops were stationed on the Korean peninsula after fighting alongside South Korean soldiers to repel a North Korean invasion during the 1950-53 Korean conflict, Seoul has shared the cost for their presence. It's not clear how much South Korea spends annually, but Trump has urged Seoul to increase its share.


Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
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