Moon says 'long process' ahead before DPRK's denuclearization

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Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in expressed hope for Tuesday's meeting between the two leaders from the US and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), but also warned that it could take years to fully denuclearize the DPRK.

The ROK's Yonhap News Agency reported that Moon made the remarks in a weekly meeting with his aides on Monday, a day before the historic summit between US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore.

Moon praised the two leaders' solid actions to move toward the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

"President Trump has demonstrated his strong will to resolve the North Korean (DPRK) nuclear issue and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula through his practical actions. Chairman Kim Jong Un, on the other hand, has shown his efforts for the success of the summit and his willingness to denuclearize through bold preemptive measures, including the dismantlement of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site," Yonhap cited Moon as saying.

A World War II cannon is decorated with flowers in a symbolic gesture of peace in honor of the DPRK-USA Singapore Summit between US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un on Sentosa island in Singapore, June 9, 2018. /VCG Photo

Moon added that he hoped and expected that tomorrow's summit will be successful.

However, the ROK president also pointed out that the bilateral meeting between Kim and Trump was only the start, which should be followed by continuous efforts by the ROK, the DPRK, the US and other parties at stake.

He particularly mentioned the importance of improving ties between his country and the DPRK, stressing that this will lead to a further improvement in ties between the DPRK and the US, which in turn will help with the relations between the ROK and its northern neighbor.

To achieve that goal, Moon called for support for more dialogues between the ROK and DPRK.

ROK President Moon Jae-in talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in a grand building on the DPRK side of Panmunjom, May 26, 2018. /VCG Photo

He promised that the ROK will continue to do its best until a "completely denuclearized" and permanently peaceful DPRK came into being.

Meanwhile, the ROK's presidential office revealed that US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Moon on Monday.

The details of the conversation are yet to be disclosed, but Yonhap News Agency said the two leaders discussed denuclearization issues.

(Cover photo: ROK President Moon Jae-in pays a silent tribute during a ceremony marking Korean Memorial Day at the National Cemetery in Daejeon, ROK, June 6, 2018. /VCG Photo )

(With input from Reuters)