After months of political turmoil, anger and uncertainty caused by the previous administration,
the people of South Korea elected a new president to get the nation back on track.
This week, we delve deeper into Moon Jae-in's vision for the next five years.
For this first installment, our Kim Hyesung turns the spotlight to President Moon's foreign
policies.
North Korea's growing nuclear threat, the deployment of THAAD missile defense system,
plus new leadership under Donald Trump in the U.S.
Numerous security and foreign policy issues have piled up amid political turmoil in Korea
and changes around the world.
And on inauguration day, President Moon Jae-in showed his determination to use alll means
possible to achieve his number-one foreign policy goal -- building lasting peace on the
Korean peninsula.
May 10.
2017 -
"I will fly immediately to Washington, I will go to Beijing and I will go to Tokyo.
If the conditions are right, I will go to Pyongyang.”
. .
During the presidential campaign, Moon vowed to create a strong and peaceful South Korea
by beefing up its military capabilities, reopening the Kaesong Industrial Complex jointly operated
with North Korea and restarting the six-party talks.
As a former Chief of Staff under the late President Roh Moo-hyun, Moon's foreign affairs'
advisors include former diplomats and government officials from both the liberal Kim Dae-jung
and Roh Moo-hyun administrations.
Some expect him to pursue "sunshine policy 2.0." or "moonshine policy" and re-engage
with North Korea through dialogue and cooperation.
But experts say Moon's approach towards the North will likely be constrained and more
pragmatic, one that is not at odds with the U.S. or the international community.
"The situation on the Korean peninsula has changed dramatically compared to the 2000s.
North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests and has made great improvements in its missile
technology.
The international community and the Korean public are not in favor of sudden engagement
with North Korea like re-opening the Kaesong Industrial complex.
The U.S. is pursuing a maximum pressure policy.
That's why President Moon Jae-in said he will visit Pyongyang only under the right conditions,
which would mean a pledge from Pyongyang to denuclearize or a freeze in its nuclear ambitions
of some sort, instead of taking a unilateral approach."
Experts believe President Moon will meet President Trump at the earliest time possible and build
a personal relationship and mutual trust after a leadership vacuum in Korea, during which
China and Japan have already coordinated their approaches to issues affecting Northeast Asia.
"The deployment of THAAD is an issue of our sovereignty.
We will review the THAAD deployment in Korea through a democratic due process.
Then, we will negotiate the terms of the THAAD agreement with the U.S., but we don't think
going back and forth hastily, talking about who pays the deployment cost with our key
ally, the U.S., right now is a wise approach."
And of course, it's crucial to discuss THAAD with China, which perceives it as a threat
to its national security, putting a strain on bilateral ties.
"Given that the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party will take place this fall,
President Xi will try to be tough and strong on national security issues, so discussing
THAAD with Beijing won't be easy.
So showing Korea's sincerity with China is important.
The Moon Administration is set to send two special envoys to China, one specially focused
on THAAD.
This is encouraging, reopening up dialogue with China at a new starting point.
"
President Moon has also discussed security issues and contentious historic issues with
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, like renegotiating the 2015 agreement on Japan's past wartime
sexual enslavement of Korean women.
The Moon Administration ends a decade long conservative rule in Korea, but Korea's key
allies remain the same, and its foreign policy is unlikely to change dramatically.
But with an emphasis on assertiveness and cooperation with existing key allies, neighbors
and emerging countries, experts say the Moon administration is likely to take a more active
role in solving North Korean and regional issues to achieve peace on the Korean peninsula.
Kim Hyesung, Arirang News.