ⓒYONHAP News

South Korean President Moon Jae-in suggested France and other UN Security Council member states consider easing sanctions on North Korea.

In a joint news conference following their talks at the Elysee Palace on Monday, Moon and French President Emmanuel Macron revealed their discussions on North Korea.

"First of all, I think that the UN Security Council sanctions resolutions are very important. Until denuclearization is achieved, we all need to faithfully observe the UNSC sanctions and international collaboration remains important. South Korea too will try to improve inter-Korean ties within such framework. But on the other hand, we need to consider that North Korea should be given assurance by the international community that the more it gives up its nuclear [capabilities], its security will be guaranteed without relying on nuclear [weapons]."

With Moon stressing the need to convince Pyongyang that it made the right choice, Macron emphasized that although France is ready to help, Pyongyang must first show some detailed commitments.

"As a state with a nuclear arsenal, France is ready to contribute its cooperation on a technical level to that process. We have operational technical and scientific expertise in the nuclear field which, in terms of denuclearization, would certainly be useful and which we would offer up if that seemed pertinent."

The thorny topic of easing sanctions came as Washington and Pyongyang disagreed if the North should be rewarded in the process of its denuclearization.

Moon's chief press secretary Yoon Young-chan explained that the South Korean president during the talks suggested easing the UN sanctions once the North's denuclearization process has reached a point of no return. But it remains unclear what defines that point.

On the fifth day of his tour to Europe, South Korean President Moon Jae-in attended the "Mass for Peace on the Korean Peninsula" at the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City.

Following the hour-long mass presided over by Cardinal State Secretary Pietro Parolin on Wednesday, Moon told the audience prayers offered there will turn into reality.

"The prayer for peace on the Korean Peninsula that resounded at St. Peter's Basilica today will echo in the hearts of the people in South Korea, North Korea and all the rest of the world who hope for peace."

Citing Pope Francis' prayer before the U.S.- North Korea summit in June, Moon, a Catholic himself, also laid out his road map for establishing peace.

"As His Holiness Pope Francis's prayer before the U.S.-North Korea summit, we are paving a 'positive path that assures a future of peace for the Korean Peninsula and the whole world.'"

"Declaring the end of the [Korean] war and signing a peace treaty on the Korean Peninsula will resolve the last remaining Cold War regime on earth."

On Thursday, President Moon met with Pope Francis and relayed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s intention to invite the Pope to North Korea.

The pope said although Moon’s deliverance of Kim’s intention expressed during the inter-Korean summit last month would be enough, he would like to receive an official letter of invitation from the North.

During the 38-minute-long talks at the Vatican, the South Korean leader and the pope also exchanged opinions on issues of mutual interest, including peace on the Korean Peninsula.

According to a press release from the presidential office, Moon briefed the pope on the government’s efforts toward permanent peace on the peninsula and requested his continued prayer and support for peace, reconciliation and joint prosperity in the region.