South Korea pushes for diplomacy as nations restore cross-border hotlines

Seoul: South Korean President Moon Jae-in extended an olive branch from Seoul to North Korea in a speech made during the 15th World Korean Day, a day after the North reopened its liaison and military hotlines with the South. The move comes months after communication was suspended in August due to North Korea's opposition to a joint military drill involving South Korea and the USA.

Moon said that South Korea was willing to co-operate with the North on projects and that there was "no reason for confrontation" between the two countries. In an event held at a Seoul hotel, Moon insisted that comparing political or military might was no longer relevant and that it was important for both countries to prosper together.

President Moon has been a staunch champion of unification and dialogue between the two Koreas, organising three summits between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the South as well as the historic first-ever summit featuring North Korea and America in 2018. On World Korean Day Moon said he dreamt of millions of Koreans living as one in the hopeful future and celebrated the achievements of Koreans worldwide, including the elections of four Korean representatives in the US House of Congress last year and Ye-won Rhie, the first German federal parliament member of Korean heritage, in September.