South Korean President Moon Jae-in spoke in a congratulatory video message at the opening of the Jeju Forum (Photo: Yonhap)

In a congratulatory video message at the opening of the Jeju Forum, Mr. Moon Jae-in said that South Korea will launch an entirely renewed initiative and boldly implement it for lasting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. He said South Korea will use persuasion and pressure against North Korea to ultimately bring the country to negotiations over its nuclear program. They will work with the international community including the US and China to achieve a resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue, and improve both inter-Korean relations and US-North Korea relations.  

The President said the recent series of missile launches by North Korea is a serious challenge not only for the Korean Peninsula but for international peace and stability. In the case that North Korea commits an armed provocation, South Korea will retaliate with all the defense capabilities available, with the support of the US alliance.