ROK's Moon optimistic on third Trump-Kim summit

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President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Moon Jae-in expressed optimism on Monday that formal dialogue with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will resume before long.

"I believe that we will be able to resume such dialogue between the two Koreas and between the U.S. and North Korea (DPRK) in the near future," Moon said during a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinisto, on Monday.

"Dialogue is underway for the continuation of dialogue between the two Koreas and North Korea (DPRK) and the U.S.," he added.

'A blank sheet of paper'

On Tuesday, DPRK's state media told the U.S. to change its 'hostile policy' towards Pyongyang or agreements made at the summit in Singapore a year ago might become a "a blank sheet of paper".

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore, June 12, 2018. /Reuters Photo

The statement, echoing a similar warning last week, came on the eve of the anniversary of the Singapore summit. It reflected the stalemate since a second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in Hanoi in February collapsed.

"The arrogant and unilateral U.S. policy will never work on the DPRK, which values sovereignty," KCNA said.

The report said a four-point joint statement signed by Trump and Kim on June 12 last year, pledging to work towards a new relationship, "is in danger of being a blank sheet of paper because the U.S. is turning a blind eye to its implementation".

" ... now is the time for the U.S. to withdraw its hostile policy concerning the DPRK," it said.

Moon's humanitarian efforts

Seoul is expected to send a pledged donation of eight million U.S. dollars to UN agencies this week to support their efforts to provide assistance to DPRK women and children in need, Yonhap reported citing a unification ministry official.

This marks the first humanitarian assistance to be provided to the DPRK through international agencies by Moon's government.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) and ROK Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha arrive for a photo opportunity at the State Department in Washington, DC, U.S., March 29, 2019. /VCG Photo

Last week, the ROK endorsed the donation plan for the World Food Program (WFP) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) for their projects to support children and pregnant women in the DPRK.

Of the total, 4.5 million U.S. dollars will be given to the WFP and the remainder to UNICEF.

"The money is expected to be remitted (to those agencies) as early as Tuesday or Wednesday," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity on Tuesday.

On Monday Moon seemed to be optimistic about a third U.S.-DPRK summit. He told reporters: "I don't think it's a situation that needs a third country's arrangement".

Trump said last week he looked forward to seeing Kim at the appropriate time.

Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will attend the G20 summit in Japan later this month and will then visit South Korea to meet Moon and coordinate efforts for the final, fully verified denuclearization of the DPRK, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said.

(With input from Reuters)

(Cover: Key rings depicting DPRK's leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump are seen for sale ahead of their summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, February 24, 2019. /Reuters Photo)