‘No military action could be done without S. Korea’s consent,’ says Moon

“No one could decide on military action without consent of the Republic of Korea,” President Moon Jae-in said on Tuesday. “We will prevent war by using every measure available.”

“We will wait to see what the foolish Yankees do next,” North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said when briefed on a plan to launch an attack on Guam, suggesting that he can start dialogue. With the threat of war between the U.S. and North Korea seen to be abating for now, President Moon is reiterating the principle of peaceful resolution of the North’s nuclear crisis by calling for Seoul’s taking "the driver’s seat in the Korean Peninsula affairs."

“Overcoming divide meant to settle peace on the Korean Peninsula is the way to achieve Korea’s complete liberation,” President Moon said in his congratulatory speech for the 72nd Liberation Day. “The path we should take is the beginning of a great journey to establish a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.”

“The North Korean nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully without fail,” President Moon said. “Military action on the Korean Peninsula could only be decided by the Republic of Korea.” He has urged both North Korea and the U.S. to cool down as some in Washington are considering the option of a preemptive strike on Pyongyang.

“We cannot only depend on allies for our national security. We should take the lead in resolving issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula," the president said, expressing his commitment to regain "the driver’s seat" in security on the Korean Peninsula, which briefly left South Korea’s hand due to standoff between North Korea and the U.S.

“We have no choice but to increase sanctions and pressure on North Korea,” President Moon also said urging Pyongyang to halt additional provocations and resume dialogue.

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