President Moon has called again for the international community's support for his peace drive -- this time during an event with foreign ambassadors based in Seoul.
He said that it's key to help South Korea overcome the last hurdle to achieving peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
Our Park Hee-jun has the details.
President Moon Jae-in reiterated that support from the international community is crucial for achieving South Korea's historic challenge of establishing denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
President Moon's remark came as he was addressing more than 100 foreign ambassadors serving in South Korea, along with representatives from 17 international organizations at a Blue House reception on Friday -- the first such gathering since he took office.
"South Korea has taken on the challenge of creating a historic change on the Korean Peninsula through denuclearization and permanent peace. We are facing the final obstacle, and only by overcoming this obstacle can we prevent a return to the days of conflict and enter a bright future. Efforts by the two Koreas and the U.S. come first, but we need the support and cooperation of the international community."
President Moon also asked his guests to join his efforts in turning the demilitarized zone into an international peace zone by eliminating mines in the area -- a vision he unveiled through his UN General Assembly speech last month.
He says establishing an international body in the area will be a concrete step toward peace.
And so will be the possible joint hosting of the 2032 Summer Olympics by the two Koreas,... which also requires global cooperation.
The president also sought their support in the upcoming South Korea-ASEAN special summit set to take place in Busan next month,... and the P4G summit on climate change, which South Korea will host next June.
Among the guests was outgoing Japanese ambassador to Seoul Yasumasa Nagamine.
No separate one-on-one was arranged between him and the president,... nor was there a direct message on Seoul-Tokyo relations.
But President Moon did have an indirect one, likely targeting Japan's retaliatory export curbs against South Korea.
"Reviving the global economy through fair and free trade and responding to climate change are only possible with international cooperation. That makes the role of diplomacy even more important."
President Moon held a two-minute-and-20-second long chat with Ambassador Nagamine, longer than the time he gave to other guests.
It's unclear what was said between the two, but just by the looks,... it did not seem to reflect the sour ties between the two countries.
Park Hee-jun, Arirang News.