A Trump-Kim bridge: has Korean summit proved Moon is a master diplomat?

The self-styled chief negotiator between Washington and Pyongyang has little concrete success to show for his troubles, but the political show he is putting on may be part of a longer game

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South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s diplomatic manoeuvring is under the spotlight. Photo: AP

Published: 3:27pm, 20 Sep 2018Updated: 11:08am, 21 Sep 2018

Before travelling to Pyongyang this week for his third summit with Kim Jong-un, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said he intended to act as a mediator between the North Korean leader and Donald Trump – but just how successful was the self-styled “chief negotiator”?

With progress on North Korean denuclearisation stalled following Kim’s meeting with the president of the United States in Singapore, Moon faced mounting pressure to secure a breakthrough between Washington and Pyongyang.

On Thursday, the human rights lawyer turned liberal politician returned to Seoul from the three-day summit with a declaration that, on paper at least, appeared to deliver on that promise, and bolster his reputation as a superior diplomat.

In a joint press conference on Wednesday, Kim said he would allow international observers to witness the destruction of a major missile test site and take measures such as dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear facility, the latter provided the US took “corresponding measures”.

The two leaders also announced that Kim would visit Seoul, which would be a first for a North Korean leader; that the two Koreas would make a joint bid to co-host the 2032 Summer Olympics; and resume a number of cooperative projects, including tours to a scenic mountain resort and a planned rail link.

Moon and Kim wrapped up their summit on Thursday with a visit to Mount Paektu, the mythological birthplace of the Korean people and one of the most powerful symbols in North Korean propaganda.

Although the declaration did not include key US demands such as an inventory of nuclear sites and weapons, Moon declared on Wednesday that complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula was now “not far away”.

Moon and Kim have announced a number of joint Korean ventures, including a bid to co-host the 2013 Olympics. Photo: Pyongyang Press Corps

Trump, who last month cancelled a planned visit to North Korea by his secretary of state Mike Pompeo, citing a lack of “sufficient progress”, welcomed the developments as “tremendous progress” and “very good news”.

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