SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean President Moon Jae-in is seeking a deal with North Korea in 2020 to bring about the “complete denuclearization” of the isolated nation in return for a peace treaty that would guarantee the survival of Kim Jong Un’s regime.
Moon, an advocate of dialogue and exchange with North Korea, set out his ambitious goal Wednesday in a special presidential Blue House report outlining his objectives for his five-year term. While the government this week proposed talks with Pyongyang, it’s the first time the new president has provided a timeline for his engagement policy.
“We will come up with a negotiation plan for comprehensive denuclearization that will lead a nuclear freeze to a complete dismantling,” of weapons, the Blue House said in the report, which stated Moon would propose a road map this year. “The treaty will be signed when denuclearization is complete and the peace regime will be maintained in a stable way.”
Moon, who took office May 10, is looking to ease tensions over Kim’s pursuit of a nuclear missile capable of striking the U.S. mainland. His Defense Ministry on Friday offered talks with Pyongyang, while the National Red Cross floated preparatory discussions for reunions of families split by the 1950-53 Korean War.
