Following the launch of the Joe Biden administration in the U.S., President Moon Jae-in has stressed efforts to end a long-standing impasse in talks on the denuclearization and lasting peace of the Korean Peninsula. 

During a meeting of the National Security Council on Thursday, Moon said the stalemate since the second North Korea-U.S. summit should swiftly come to a close and a new breakthrough should be arranged the talks between the North and the U.S. and between the two Koreas. 

Noting the peace process on the Korean Peninsula is not an option but a must, he called on the officials to do their best so the peace clock will move forward again. 

It was the first time in 22 months Moon presided over an NSC general meeting. The previous such occasion was held in the wake of the breakdown of the Hanoi summit between former U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in March of 2019. 

Emphasizing a strong will to realize peace and prosperity which he called the wish of all Koreans, the South Korean leader said that his government will continuously and closely cooperate with the Biden administration to move forward the peace process on the peninsula. Moon also pledged to do his best to resume dialogue and cooperation with North Korea. 

Along with the strong bilateral alliance with the U.S., Moon said it is also the time for Seoul to further develop cooperation with neighboring countries, such as China and Japan, and make the best of the transitional time.