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South Korean President Moon Jae-in gives a commemorative address at the centennial event for the Mar. 1 Independence Movement in Gwanghwamun Square.

“The South Korean government will communicate and cooperate closely with the US and North Korea to ensure they achieve a complete breakthrough in their bilateral dialogue,” South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Mar. 1 in regard to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump’s failure to reach an agreement in their second summit. With these comments, Moon once again expressed his determination to mediate between North Korea and the US and facilitate a breakthrough.

“Our role has become even more important,” Moon said on Friday during his commemorative address on the 100th anniversary of the Mar. 1 Movement. Even though Kim and Trump failed to arrive at an understanding, Moon was apparently expressing his determination to step forward as a mediator to narrow the final gap between them.

“The spring of peace that we’ve gained on the Korean Peninsula was not made by others. It was made by us, by the power of the people,” Moon said, once again hinting at his determination to play a leading role on Korean Peninsula affairs by orchestrating an agreement between the North Korean and American leaders.

Moon voiced his hope that dialogue will continue between Kim and Trump and strove to put a positive spin on the two leaders’ efforts during their meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam. “The very fact that the two leaders had a long conversation and increased their mutual understanding and confidence is itself meaningful progress. In particular, the fact that they even discussed setting up liaison offices is an important step toward normalizing their bilateral relations,” Moon emphasized.

“I think highly of the commitment to continuing dialogue and the optimistic outlook that President Trump has exhibited,” Moon said.

Moving forward, Moon appears likely to meet with both of the leaders to help him accurately determine and coordinate the two countries’ positions. During a telephone call with Trump while he was returning from Hanoi following his talks there on Thursday, Moon suggested that they meet in person before long to continue their discussion, a suggestion to which Trump agreed. Considering that Trump asked Moon to play an active role as a mediator by speaking with Kim and letting him know the results, one intriguing possibility is that Moon might meet with Kim before he meets with Trump.

By Kim Bo-hyeop, staff reporter

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