(Seoul) South Korea’s president warned in an interview with foreign news agencies on Thursday that the peninsula could slide back into a “state of crisis” if Pyongyang follows through on its threats to resume long-range missile fire. scope.
Posted yesterday at 11:43 p.m.
“If North Korea’s series of missile launches go so far as to break the moratorium on long-range missile testing, the Korean peninsula could instantly fall back into the state of crisis we experienced five years ago.” , Moon Jae-in explained in a written interview with international news agencies including AFP.
Pyongyang conducted an unprecedented series of seven weapons tests in January, including its most powerful missile launch since 2017, when leader Kim Jong-un provoked then-US President Donald Trump.
Subsequent talks between the two leaders broke down in 2019, “very regrettably”, says Moon, who believes the two sides should have sought a more phased approach to reach a less ambitious deal.
“It would have been better to have a ‘big deal’. If it was too difficult, however, I think that a “little agreement” should have been sought to adopt a gradual approach”, explains the head of state, who assures that the “necessary communication” between him and Kim Jong- one hasn’t stopped.
After talks broke down, Pyongyang redoubled its efforts to build up its arsenal, going so far as to threaten in January to end a self-imposed moratorium on long-range missile and nuclear tests.
Even if Mr. Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, adopts a more moderate diplomacy towards North Korea, Mr. Moon expects a new summit between the American leader and his North Korean counterpart to take place “a day “.
“It’s only a matter of time,” he said.
Mr Moon, who has pushed for the talks during his five-year presidency, is due to step down in May as the constitution bars him from seeking a second term. His successor will be elected on March 9.