Leaders of S. Korea, France agree to boost cooperation

SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed Thursday to continue working together for a peaceful resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue and vowed joint efforts to make the upcoming Olympic Games in South Korea a success. The agreement came in a telephone conversation between the two leaders, according to the South Korean presidential office Cheong Wa Dae. "President Moon explained the outcome of South-North Korea talks on North Korea's participation in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games and said the country will make all necessary preparations to make sure the upcoming Olympic Games will be successfully held in a safer and peaceful environment," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Soo-hyun said of the 30-minute phone call between the leaders. North Korea has agreed to take part in the Winter Olympic Games that will take place here from Feb. 9-25, as well as the Paralympic Games, slated for March 9-18. "President Moon said he wishes the South-North dialogue and North Korea's participation in the Olympics will improve South-North ties, reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula and further lead to dialogue on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue," the spokesman said in a press release. The South Korean leader also expressed appreciation for support from France, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, in dealing with the provocative North and proposed that the two countries continue to work together to peacefully resolve the nuclear standoff and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, Park said. Thursday's telephone conversation between Moon and Macron marked the third of its kind since the two leaders came into office last year. They have also held a bilateral summit. Macron said he welcomed North Korea's participation in the Winter Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games and promised support to make both events successful, according to the Cheong Wa Dae spokesman. "President Macron said he welcomed the South-North dialogue while praising President Moon for his active efforts to ensure peace in the Korean Peninsula and the world. In addition, he said (France) will continue to play its role and make contributions in the process of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue while reaffirming its support for the South Korean government's policy," Park said. Moon and Macron expressed satisfaction over their countries' close relationship, which they said has steadily improved since their bilateral summit held on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, in July. "Also, the two leaders agreed to continue enhancing the practically cooperative relationship between the two countries this year through communication at various levels and at various occasions and by expanding their exchange of high-level officials," Park said. Moon invited the French leader to visit South Korea for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Macron expressed his gratitude and said he will seriously consider the invitation, according to the Cheong Wa Dae spokesman. bdk@yna.co.kr (END)