We start with the diplomatic drive to get Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in is leaving for Washington in the coming hours to meet with his U.S. counterpart ahead of next month's highly-anticipated North Korea-U.S. summit.
Before their fifth face-to-face,... the two leaders spoke on the phone to ensure that the Singapore summit stays on track.
Our chief Blue House correspondent Moon Connyoung starts us off. In just two days they'll be meeting in person in Washington, but perhaps reflecting how serious and alarming the two leaders are taking the latest about face by North Korea, Presidents Moon and Trump picked up the phone on this Sunday to ensure they're both committed to the success of the North Korea, U.S. summit.
That's after the North threatened to pull out of what would be an unprecedented summit next month.
Seoul's presidential Blue House said the two leaders spoke over the phone for about twenty minutes and exchanged views on various actions taken by North Korea lately.
"The two leaders will work closely and unwaveringly for the successful hosting of the North Korea, U.S. summit set for June 12th, including the upcoming South Korea U.S. summit."
Mr. Moon is due to fly out to Washington Monday afternoon for an exclusive one-on-one with Mr. Trump on Tuesday... where the two will hold private talks with only their interpreters present.
It will be the first meeting between the two allies since the historic inter-Korean summit in April and potentially the last before the landmark North Korea, U.S. summit in June.
With Presidents Moon and Trump's pledge Sunday to closely work together on the issue, analysts
expect the leaders to share their deepest thoughts on South Korea, U.S. cooperation in the denuclearization journey and joint efforts to lead North Korea to the negotiation table come June 12th.
Moon Connyoung, Arirang News, the Blue House.
