President Moon Jae-in talks to U.S. president Donald Trump on the phone on Nov. 29 to discuss ways to jointly handle North Korea’s latest long-range ballistic missile launch into the east sea. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Sohn JiAe

President Moon Jae-in talked to his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump over the phone on Nov. 29, to discuss ways to cooperate on North Korea’s latest launch of a long-range ballistic missile into the east sea. 

During the 20-minute-or-so phone conversation, the two presidents shared their strong condemnation for Pyongyang’s missile provocation, which was orchestrated despite the already firm sanctions and pressure on the regime from the international community in accordance with the U.N. Security Council resolutions. 

The two leaders then vowed to address the North’s future provocations in a firm and resolute manner, based on the sound Korea-U.S. combined defense readiness, while, at the same time, working to make the regime return to dialogue with the international community. 

Mentioning that the missile launched today was more powerful than ever before, President Moon stressed that, “Seoul and Washington are now working closely together by sharing information on the launch and remaining on high alert in terms of the situation.” “Let’s continue to work together by figuring out such details as why and how the regime carried out the missile launch,” he said.

In response, President Trump suggested that they hold additional discussions based on a detailed and accurate evaluation of today’s missile provocation and close consultations between the foreign and defense authorities of the two countries. 

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