The countdown is on towards denuclearization and an era of lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula... and this opportunity, we should not let slip through our fingers.
That was the message put out by President Moon Jae-in on Monday.... as he marked the launch of the 19th National Unification Advisory Council in Seoul.
Park Hee-jun reports.
President Moon Jae-in says the denuclearization and peace process on the Korean Peninsula is gaining momentum.
And that calls for wisdom and determination to seize this opportunity.
"The clock pointing to denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula has started to move again. Movement is speeding up for working-level talks between North Korea and the U.S. to prepare for a third North Korea-U.S. summit."
These were the president's remarks during an inauguration ceremony for the 19th National Unification Advisory Council at the Blue House on Monday.
The council is a presidential body for the peaceful reunification of the two Koreas with 19-thousand members across 124 countries.
President Moon asked the council to support his efforts to establish peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.
That includes turning the demilitarized zone into a global peace zone to kickstart a 'peace economy' a vision he unveiled during his keynote speech at the UN General Assembly last week.
According to Moon, this is a measure that can help build mutual trust and security guarantees between the two Koreas.
"We can open a 'peace economy' era by creating an international special economic zone at the border area of the DMZ when it transforms into a 'global peace zone.'"
President Moon also asked for the council's backing for the two Koreas' joint bid to co-host the 2032 Summer Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee reaffirmed its support for the joint Games when President Moon met with IOC head Thomas Bach on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
If realized, Moon says the Olympics would be an event that proclaims South and North Korea's cooperation and unity to the rest of the world.
"These are President Moon's first remarks on the peace process since he returned from the UN General Assembly last week. With things finally moving again, he will be upping his efforts to achieve concrete results that can help persuade North Korea to denuclearize. Park Hee-jun, Arirang News."