文대통령, 유럽순방 2단계 돌입 - 송세련 교수 대담

For a further look at President Moon's visit to Rome, we have joining us Professor Song Se-ryun of Kyung Hee University. Thank you for coming on the show today.

Thank you.

1 - The highlight of President Moon's visit to Rome will be the special mass that will be held at the Vatican, dedicated to peace on the Korean Peninsula. It is very rare for the Vatican to put on a special mass for a visiting dignitary. How significant do you think this event is?

2 - When President Moon meets the Pope on Thursday, he is set to relay an invitation from Kim Jong-un to visit North Korea. Do you think the Pope will accept?

3 - Before that on Wednesday President Moon will hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Conte. President Moon is expected to deliver a similar message to the one he delivered to Macron of France, the importance of offering an easing of sanctions on North Korea in exchange for the denuclearization process. How do you think Conte will react?

4 - North Korea has also been stressing that sanctions are a hostile policy by the U.S. and has called for them to be lifted. What seems to have disappeared from the topic of discussion lately is the declaration to end the Korean War. Just a few weeks ago, that was all anyone seemed to talk about. Do you think the end of war declaration has taken a back seat and now sanctions seem to be the key issue in the negotiation between the U.S. and North Korea?

5 - Does this suggest that the economic situation in North Korea is urgent?

6 - The U.S. has been reluctant to back any notions about easing sanctions. It is after all the key card Washington can play to put pressure on North Korea. So this seems to be causing a strain in the relationship between South Korea and the U.S., the two sides pulling in different directions. Do you think this could lead to a problem, or are they still ultimately on the same side?

7 - U.S. Special Representative on North Korea Stephen Biegun met with Russian officials on Tuesday. Little detail has been given about the meeting other than the fact that they talked about North Korea's denuclearization. What do you think the U.S. looked to gain from this meeting, especially as Biegun's meeting with his North Korean counterparts does not seem to be forthcoming any time soon?