Moon Proposes Inter-Korean Family Reunions
Anchor: South Korean President Moon Jae-in has delivered a major policy address during his visit to Germany. Moon says his plan would prioritize family reunions in the short term, and aim for broader peace down the road.
Kim Bum-soo has more.
Report: President Moon Jae-in laid out his vision for easing tensions and eventually unifying the Korean peninsula in a speech Thursday in the German capital, Berlin.
It's a vision that he says could lead to a face-to-face conversation with the North Korean leader.
[Sound bite: President Moon Jae-in (Korean)]
"If conditions are met and if it would provide an opportunity to ease tension and resolve confrontation on the Korean Peninsula, I am willing to meet Chairman Kim Jong-un. We can put the nuclear issue and a peace treaty on the table and discuss peace and inter-Korean cooperation on the peninsula."
President Moon also proposed reunions of families separated by the 1950 Korean War on the October fourth Chuseok holiday, often described as Korea's Thanksgiving. This year's lunar calendar holiday coincides with the anniversary of an inter-Korean statement late former President Roh Moo-hyun and late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il produced in 2007.
[Sound bite: President Moon Jae-in (Korean)]
"The average age of the more than 60-thousand surviving family reunion applicants is 81... They must be reunited when they are alive. This is an urgent humanitarian issue over any political considerations."
Moon called for North Korean athletes to participate in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games and also proposed halting psychological warfare broadcasts and all other hostile activities in the demilitarized zone(DMZ) dividing the two Koreas, starting this month.
Germany achieved its own unification in 1990. Speaking in the once divided German capital, President Moon said the country's spirit of peace and coexistence offer lessons for the two Koreas' future.
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.
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