Moon, Trump discuss views on 'various responses' by NK

Published : May 20, 2018 - 16:10 Updated : May 20, 2018 - 16:36

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and President Donald Trump Sunday held a phone conversation ahead of their meeting this week, pledging to maintain close coordination as North Korea ratcheted up harsh rhetoric ahead of its first summit with the US.

During the phone call made between 11:30 a.m. and 11:55 a.m. the two leaders discussed their views on the “various responses” by North Korea, according to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

“The two leaders exchanged their opinions about North Korea’s various responses,” said chief presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan, without elaborating further. “For the success of upcoming US-North Korea summit, we will maintain close coordination.”

South Korea`s President Moon Jae-in and his US counterpart Donald Trump. (Yonhap)

Last week, North Korea threated to walk away from the summit scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore, if the Trump administration continues its demand for “unilateral nuclear abandonment.”

North Koreas also postponed a high-level inter-Korean talks at the last minute, denouncing the Moon administration for engaging in an “invasion scheme” with the US through their annual drill called Max Thunder.

Moon is scheduled to leave Seoul on Monday for his summit with Trump in Washington. After meeting with Trump’s key aides, Moon will hold a one-on-one meeting with Trump on Tuesday, local time in Washington, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

By Yeo Jun-suk (jaonsyeo@heraldcorp.com)