Back to his hometown, what exactly does ROK's Moon want?

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Editor's note: Wang Chong is a senior research fellow of the Charhar Institute. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un and Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in will meet in Pyongyang on September 18. Moon Jae-in will arrive at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport at 10:00 am, while Kim Jong Un will host a welcome ceremony for him.

According to the presidential secretariat of the ROK, the pair will have two meetings on 18 and 19 during which they will discuss "practical measures" toward denuclearization. And they also have the arrangement to visit the main infrastructures in Pyongyang.

The two leaders had a historic meeting in April. They vowed to work together for the peaceful solution of the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and set a goal of reunification, followed by the US-DPRK summit in Singapore.

However, words and promises are always easier than action. Both the US and DPRK are frustrated by the process of denuclearization.

ROK President Moon Jae-in (R) bids farewell to DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (L) as he leaves after their summit at the truce village of Panmunjom, DPRK, in this handout picture provided by the Presidential Blue House on May 26, 2018. /VCG Photo.

As a response, President Trump even canceled a trip to the DPRK planned by Secretary of State Pompeo. Some experts argued that it means the end of the US-DPRK honeymoon.

I disagree with this point of view for two reasons. Firstly, President Trump said he would be glad to meet Mr. Kim in the near future; Secondly, he needs to have some diplomatic achievements before the midterm elections.

Under such a circumstance, ROK could play an important role in narrowing the gap between the two opposite sides.

Therefore, President Moon will persuade Mr. Kim to have the determination to abandon their nuclear weapons and cooperate in the right way with the US during the summit in Pyongyang. Of course, he doesn't come empty-handed.

US President Donald Trump (L) and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un (R) walk after lunch at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore June 12, 2018. /VCG ‍Photo.

The promise of financial aid and economic cooperation will be made. The matter is whether the DPRK's young leader believes it or not.

Moon is not sacrificing himself for the good of others. A recent poll showed Moon's support has fallen below 50 percent for the first time, so he needs to do something to consolidate the achievement he has made so far on the nuclear issue.

Moon's own feelings on this issue must be very complicated because his parents' fled to the ROK during the Korean War in the 1950s. So I think his dream or expectation on peaceful reunification is sincere.

But we cannot expect too much from this summit. They are merely paving the way for the next US-DPRK summit.

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