Distinguished journalists from around the world, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is indeed a great honor for me to be with you here for the luncheon on your first day of the meeting. Welcome. I understand that there are journalists from 46 countries who are here to participate in the 2018 World Journalists Conference.  Denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula is a key scene of your gathering this year, so I am happy to have this opportunity to briefly explain where we are currently  and what we plan to do regarding this issue of critical importance to peace and security not only on the Korean Peninsula but indeed around the world.

Just last week, we successfully concluded 17 days of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, and this Friday we will be kicking off the Paralympic Games. The Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games were held very safely and successfully with the participation of a record number of 92 countries, including North Korea.  The Games served to celebrate the very best of athletic talents from around the world and the spirit of peace and unity with which they competed and the crowds cheered them on. Furthermore, North Korea’s participation and the resumption of inter-Korean talks have led to the easing of tension on the Korean Peninsula and the fostering of a much needed momentum towards a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.

North Korea sent high-level government delegations to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, and President Moon Jae-in met with them to further advance the dialogue with the North.  Kim Yojung, the younger sister of Chairman Kim Jongun, who was part of the delegation to the Opening, conveyed a personal letter of the Chairman to President Moon, with an invitation for him to travel to Pyongyang for a summit meeting. And to reciprocate, President Moon’s special envoy will be visiting Pyongyang today.

Many ask why North Korea decided to come to Pyeongchang and jump-start inter-Korean dialogue after such a long hiatus.  Whatever their reason and motivation, it must be seen as a positive response to the consistent efforts of my government to engage the North.  We have been steadfast in our position that North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs are not acceptable, that its provocations will be met with pressure and sanctions, but that engagement is also required to find a peaceful path to North Korea’s denuclearization. 

So, South-North dialogue has resumed and is likely to continue.  But we are well aware that inter-Korean dialogue and improvements in South-North Korean relations cannot proceed in the absence of progress in the efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, which requires, in the first instance, direct talks between the United States and North Korea. So Inter-Korean dialogue and US-North Korea dialogue must advance in a mutually reinforcing manner.

Although there were no direct contacts between the United States and North Korean delegations on the sidelines of the Olympics, we were able to confirm through our discussions with each the willingness on both sides to engage directly.  And now through the special envoy’s visit to Pyongyang, we hope to further explore North Korea’s intentions for dialogue.

All the dignitaries who visited Korea during the Olympics, and indeed the global media that closely followed the events around the Games, applauded the progress in inter-Korean talks and expressed broad support for our policy on the North Korean nuclear issue.  

And building on this positive momentum, we are continuing our diplomatic endeavors to open the path towards North Korea’s denuclearization.  We are clear on some key principle points. First and foremost, we are emphasizing to North Korea that it must not provoke again.  Needless to say, another nuclear test or missile launch by North Korea will inevitably dampen the atmosphere for dialogue.

Second, sanctions and pressure on North Korea will remain in place as long as it does not undertake substantial measures for denuclearization.  The peaceful denuclearization of North Korea remains my government’s unwavering goal.  Yet, at the same time there is a need to carry forward the momentum of dialogue created in Pyeongchang and, in particular, we must seek opportunities for the United States and North Korea to engage in dialogue for denuclearization.  The United States is our staunch ally and we continue to maintain close collaboration as we move forward.

South Korea and the United States are on the same page in emphasizing to the North that it must change course on the nuclear issue, and if it changes course we stand ready to offer it a brighter, more prosperous future.  So far, North Korea has not indicated any desire to engage in denuclearization talks with the United States.  But it knows very well that with the heavy sanctions placed upon it, its key interests cannot be secured without coming to terms with the United States. 

So we urge North Korea to seize this opportunity to engage in sincere dialogue.  In the process, we will maintain close consultations with the United States in sustaining the momentum for dialogue and drawing a roadmap for denuclearization of North Korea.

Third, we will continue to work closely with partners in the region for a successful transition into a steady phase of dialogue. Furthermore, we will reach out to the international community to work together to fundamentally resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and to establish a lasting peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

I was told the following session will be on the role of journalists for denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and world peace.  The theme assumes that journalists such as yourselves are not just impartial observers but have a role in shaping events at pivotal moments in history.  This is certainly a pivotal moment on the Korean Peninsula, and I do hope that your discussions will illuminate your roles on the issue of North Korea’s denuclearization.

Thank you very much.