President Moon Jae-in met with a delegation from the U.S. House and Senate at Cheong Wa Dae from 5:00 to 6:10 this afternoon.

President Moon wholeheartedly welcomed the first visit to Korea by a U.S. Congressional delegation since the ROK-U.S. Summit was held in July. He also gave high marks to each delegation member for their active legislative activities pertaining to the Korean Peninsula and for their endeavors to defuse regional tensions by making visits to Korea and China.

At today’s meeting, the participants subscribed to the view that the international community should apply tougher sanctions and pressure on North Korea by carrying out United Nations Security Council resolutions in response to North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations. They were also of the opinion that such sanctions and pressure should be used as a means of bringing North Korea to the negotiation table to discuss the abandonment of its nuclear program and that the goal of the North’s nuclear dismantlement should be ultimately achieved through peaceful and diplomatic means.

Senator Edward John Markey (D-Mass.), who is leading the delegation, said that he wanted to praise President Moon for his outstanding leadership qualities and that both the Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Congress, as friends of Korea, would stand by it in addressing the North Korean issue. He next requested the President`s opinions on how to deal with the issue.

In reply, President Moon said that while continuing to enhance sanctions and pressure against the North, it was also necessary to consistently send a message to the North that its bright future would be guaranteed if it returned to the negotiation table.

In addition, the President said that the United States and Korea would address the North Korean nuclear and missile issue through close consultations and continue to engage in discussions for the settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula. 

Noting the importance of China’s role, President Moon said that the U.N. Security Council sanctions resolution was strong enough to block one-third of North Korea’s exports and that it was very encouraging that the resolution was adopted unanimously with the participation of China and Russia. The President went on to say that, considering the fact that the North Korean economy was completely dependent on its trade with and support from China, China’s role would be significant.

Finally, President Moon said he understood that the United States was traditionally taking a stance that all options were on the table to make the North abandon its nuclear programs. The President continued to say, however, that the implementation of even a very limited military option could ultimately lead to armed conflict between the two Koreas and that this would risk the lives of not only the Koreans but also of many non-Koreans, including the U.S. forces in the country. The President went on to say that the Republic of Korea, which rose from the ruins of the Korean War, should not be reduced to rubble again and that this should be taken into account.