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Moon seeks three-way economic cooperation with NK, Russia

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By Kim Rahn

President Moon Jae-in
President Moon Jae-in
Once a peace regime is established, inter-Korean economic cooperation will need to include Russia for peace and co-prosperity in Eurasia, President Moon Jae-in said Wednesday.

He also said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un also agrees on the three-party economic cooperation, during an interview with Russian media, including Tass Russian News Agency.

The interview was held at Cheong Wa Dae a day before his state visit to Russia.

Saying he and Russian President Vladimir Putin share a vision of peace and co-prosperity of the Eurasian continent, Moon said his New Northern Policy, which seeks more economic cooperation with countries north of South Korea, has a lot in common with Putin's New Eastern Policy to develop the Russian Far East.

"When a peace regime is established on the Korean Peninsula, inter-Korean economic cooperation will become active, and it should involve cooperation with Russia," Moon said.

"After the peace regime is set up between the two Koreas, it needs to be developed into a multinational peace and security regime for all Northeast Asian nations," he said. "To this end, South Korea and Russia ― and I and President Putin ― will closely cooperate."

Moon said Kim agreed to three-way economic cooperation with Russia.

"Kim confirmed his determination for denuclearization, expressing his willingness to give up nuclear weapons and make his best efforts for economic development if his regime security is guaranteed," he said.

Regarding possible sectors of economic cooperation, the President cited linking railways, gas pipelines and electricity grids between the three countries.

Regarding the recent Washington-Pyongyang summit, Moon said it was more successful than he expected, as the two countries, which have been adversaries for 70 years, are moving toward peace.

"North Korea promised complete denuclearization, and the U.S. promised guarantees of the North's regime security. What they have to do now is implement the great agreements completely and rapidly," he said.

He said inter-Korean and Washington-Pyongyang agreements have already been put into practice, with North Korea shutting down its nuclear test site, the two Koreas stopping propaganda broadcasts in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and Seoul and Washington suspending joint military drills.

"North Korea needs to present more detailed denuclearization methods and the U.S. needs to present corresponding measures rapidly, and they both should follow through," he said.


Kim Rahn rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr


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