U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and President Moon Jae-in shake hands before holding a joint press conference at Cheong Wa Dae on Nov. 7. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Yoon Sojung 

Photos = Cheong Wa Dae

President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump, currently on a state visit to Korea, reaffirmed the Korea-U.S. alliance on Nov. 7.

The two leaders held a summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul where they reconfirmed their unchanged will to cooperate in regard to a joint response to Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons and missile threats. 

In the joint press conference afterward, Trump said, “The Republic of Korea is more than a longstanding ally of the U.S.”

“We are partners and friends who have fought side-by-side in a war, and, really, worked very hard and prospered toward a great and lasting peace,” said President Trump, highlighting the firm ROK-U.S. alliance. . 

U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and President Moon Jae-in hold a summit at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 7. (Cheong Wa Dae)

President Trump said, “North Korea`s sixth test of a nuclear device and its missile launches are a threat not only to the people of South Korea but to the people all across our globe. We will together confront North Korea`s actions and prevent the North Korean dictator from threatening millions of innocent lives.” 

“All nations must implement U.N. Security Council regulations and cease trade and business entirely with North Korea,” Trump said.

He also urged China, Russia and other countries to act together, saying that, “We call on every responsible nation, including China and Russia, to demand that the North Korean regime end its nuclear weapons and its missile programs, and live in peace.” 

The two leaders spoke with one united voice concerning the joint strategy of pressure and sanctions in order to lead North Korea to the dialog table. President Moon said, “Against escalating nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, we reaffirmed our principle that we must maintain a strong stance toward North Korean threats based on an overwhelming superiority of power.”

“President Trump and I reaffirmed our current strategy, which is to maximize pressure and sanctions on North Korea until it gives up its nuclear weapons and comes to the table for dialog on its own,” Moon said. 

“Based on such a common approach between our two countries, we will continue to lead efforts to bring peaceful and fundamental solutions to North Korean nuclear weapons issues,” said President Moon.

The two leaders again stated their commitment to joint defense. 

President Moon said, ”President Trump and I agreed to further strengthen the robust combined defense posture of our two countries.” The two leaders agreed to expand the rotational deployment of U.S. strategic assets in and around the Korean Peninsula.

“We will step up our collaboration to enhance Korea`s self-defense capability to unprecedented levels,” said President Moon. 

The leaders shared a common understanding on the importance of economic cooperation for further development of the Korea-U.S. alliance. President Moon said, “We reaffirmed that economic cooperation is an important pillar of the ROK-U.S. alliance.” 

“In order to together enjoy the benefits of free, equitable and balanced trade, we agreed to have the relevant authorities expedite the process of ROK-U.S. FTA consultations,” said President Moon.

President Trump also said, “I feel confident that we`ll be able to reach a free, fair and reciprocal trade deal, as we renegotiate our current five-year-old trade document.” 

Meanwhile, President Trump also added a celebration for the upcoming PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The U.S. president said, “I also want to congratulate President Moon and the South Korean people on hosting the Winter Olympics this upcoming February. It will be a truly spectacular event.” 

President Moon Jae-in (left) and U.S. President Donald Trump inspect an honor guard during the official welcoming ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae on Nov. 7.

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