Briefly
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Moon 'optimistic' about DPRK relations
Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea, on Tuesday expressed optimism about relations between the ROK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, although the deadlocked talks between the DPRK and the United States brought difficulties to the inter-Korean ties. Moon made the remarks in a televised New Year news conference in the presidential Blue House, saying that although inter-Korean relations were faced with difficulties because of the stalled Washington-Pyongyang dialogue, efforts were being made to expand inter-Korean cooperation. Moon said his government was optimistic that things would go sufficiently well. He also said he could seek exemptions of UN sanctions placed on the DPRK to bring about improved inter-Korean relations.