President Moon Jae-in on June 13 holds a joint news conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg after their summit at her official residence in Oslo, Norway. (Cheong Wa Dae)
By Kang Gahui and Kim Minji
President Moon Jae-in on June 13 again hinted at the possibility of an inter-Korean summit this month while on a state visit to Norway.
In a joint news conference after his summit with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg at her official residence in Oslo, he said, “We’ve had experience holding a summit after a short period of talks and preparation.”
Earlier at the Oslo Forum on June 12, the president had indicated the necessity of inter-Korean talks before U.S. President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to Seoul in late June, saying, “I’m ready to talk to (North Korean leader Kim Jong Un) any time, any place and in any format. The timing is up to Kim.”
“The key to the peace process is that practical progress in denuclearization has to be made,” he added. The president also said his administration’s role is to get economic sanctions on the North lifted and help advance denuclearization efforts.
“Military tensions between both Koreas have been eased, and military hostility and violence have been stopped and banned. The Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean Peninsula is being transformed into a peace zone. At the same time, humanitarian support and exchanges will continue.”
U.S. President Trump on June 12 said he received a “beautiful letter” from Kim, kindling talk of a third summit between both leaders.
President Moon said, “The letter has some interesting parts that President Trump has not announced yet.”
