Kim Jong-Un and Moon Jae-In have completely different political motives and goals, but strangely their intentions coincided this year.
Kim desperately needs to steer North Korea away from an imminent disaster (a nuclear war, a domestic upheaval or both).
Moon, in contrast, needs to keep South Korea in the comfort zone of US alliance and export-oriented economic trajectory in the quickly changing global trade and political climate.
Meeting and talking about inter-Korean reconciliation and economic cooperation will not only boost the two leaders’ popularity at home but will also give confidence to the neighbouring powers, who have been waging Hot and Cold Wars in Korea for regional domination since the late 19th century.
Everyone seems to realise today that without a peaceful Korea there will be no ultimate security and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
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