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New South Korean president vows to address North Korea, broader tensions 'urgently'

Other News Materials 11 May 2017 06:57 (UTC +04:00)
South Korea's new liberal President Moon Jae-in was sworn in on Wednesday and vowed to tackle immediately the difficult tasks of addressing North Korea's advancing nuclear ambitions and soothing tensions with the United States and China
New South Korean president vows to address North Korea, broader tensions 'urgently'

South Korea's new liberal President Moon Jae-in was sworn in on Wednesday and vowed to tackle immediately the difficult tasks of addressing North Korea's advancing nuclear ambitions and soothing tensions with the United States and China, Reuters reported.

Moon said in his first speech as president he would begin efforts to defuse security tensions on the Korean peninsula and negotiate with Washington and Beijing to ease a row over a U.S. missile defense system being deployed in the South.

In a congratulatory phone call U.S. President Donald Trump agreed with Moon to cooperate on the North Korean nuclear issue and invited him to visit Washington, the South Korean presidential office said.

The White House said the two agreed to continue to strengthen the alliance between their countries.

The South Korean statement said Trump said North Korea's nuclear problem was difficult, but one that could be resolved.

North Korea is believed to be preparing for a sixth nuclear test and is working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the United States, presenting Trump with perhaps his most pressing security issue.

U.S. officials have expressed concern that Moon's advocacy of engagement with North Korea could undercut U.S. efforts to increase pressure through further isolation and sanctions.

The Trump administration has also been dismayed by Moon's questioning of deployment of a U.S. missile defense system in South Korea and expects some friction in ties, although U.S. officials say the new president may moderate his stances in office and the effect on the alliance will be limited.

In his first key appointments, Moon named two liberal veterans with ties to the 2000s "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with North Korea to the posts of prime minister and spy chief.

Suh Hoon, a career spy agency official who was instrumental in setting up two previous summits between the North and South, was named to head the National Intelligence Service.

Lee Nak-yon, a regional governor who was a political ally of two former presidents who held summits with North Korea in 2000 and 2007 was nominated as prime minister. His appointment requires parliamentary approval.

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