Moon Urges N.Korea to Stop Provocations

President Moon Jae-in on Thursday offered dialogue without further conditions to North Korea if it stops its nuclear and missile provocations.

He was speaking at a ceremony in Seoul on Thursday to mark the 17th anniversary of the historic inter-Korean summit in 2000. "Despite continued antagonism and confrontation, the two Koreas have achieved progress in relations," listing several landmark agreements that have largely gone up in smoke since.

"Seoul's North Korea policy would not have been inconsistent under successive administration if the two sides had abided by these agreements," he added.

"The North has recently called for respect and implementation of the joint declarations of 2000 and 2007. But it turns out that the North has said one thing but has done another by trying to develop its nuclear and missile programs," he added. "We'll make every effort on our part, but so should the North."

In a telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on May 30, Moon stressed the need to keep delivering a message to the North that dialogue is possible if it abandons its nuclear weapons development program.

Moon in pre-election debates promised to throw the entire package on the table, including reopening the joint-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex and resuming package tours to Mt. Kumgang.