Let's start with South Korean President Moon Jae-in's ongoing tour around Europe.
He held talks on Friday with his counterparts from Britain and Germany as well as the president of the European Commission.
Their discussions naturally centered on efforts to denuclearize North Korea,... but they also touched on trade.
Our Shin Se-min, who is traveling with the president, files this report from Copenhagen.
President Moon Jae-in urging his European counterparts to start peeling the layers off international sanctions on North Korea to further motivate the regime to scrap its nuclear weapons program.
On the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting, or ASEM on Friday, President Moon held separate one-on-ones with British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the progress being made on the Korean Peninsula.
The South Korean leader reportedly said there needs to be discussions at the UN Security Council on providing humanitarian aid or lifting sanctions on Pyeongyang,… at least when the regime reaches the point of no return in the denuclearization process.
Prime Minister May welcomed the quote "different environment and opportunity" on the Korean Peninsula,…but both May and Merkel reiterated that pressure on the North needs to be maintained.
"Prime Minister May and Chancellor Merkel shared common ground on the need for specific measures to speed up the denuclearization process, but pressed the necessity of North Korea taking practical steps towards its complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization."
The leaders of Britain and Germany also expressed their support for the peace drive in the region,… and credited President Moon for his leading role in the process.
President Moon also met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Friday.
They reaffirmed their commitment to free, multilateral trade, amid rising protectionism led largely by the Trump administration in the U.S.
Agreeing to further strengthen their ties,... President Moon asked Juncker to ensure that the EU's safeguard measures on South Korean steel imports do not negatively impact relations between Seoul and Brussels.
"President Moon’s final stop on his five nation tour of Europe is here: Denmark, one of the pioneers of green energy.
During his stay, the South Korean leader will highlight the need for a united coalition to tackle global challenges, including climate change.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News."
