The leaders of the two Koreas exchanged friendly letters

Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in on April 27, 2018 in Panmunjeom.

Korea Summit Press Pool/Pool via Reuters

Text by: RFI Follow

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In a correspondence, Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in, leaders of North and South Korea respectively, exchanged pleasantries and underlined their joint efforts to improve relations between the feuding brothers.

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With our correspondent in Seoul,

Nicolas Rocca

It is an exchange of letters "a

sign of their mutual trust

", according to the North Korean state agency, which underlined the constant desire of the

soon-to-be former South Korean president

to improve relations between the two countries.

This warming of relations between the two men comes in a particularly tense period on the peninsula when the current South Korean president will soon be replaced by a conservative supporter of a very hard line vis-à-vis Pyongyang.

During these exchanges, Moon Jae-in stressed the need to overcome confrontations through dialogue.

For his part, Kim Jong-un recalled the historic dimension of the three summits between the two men in 2018 and opened the door to diplomacy by stressing that the situation could improve in the event of “

continuous efforts

”.

The North Korean leader "

appreciated Mr. Moon's pains and efforts for the great cause of the nation until the last days of his term

".

For its part, the South Korean presidency confirmed this exchange of friendly letters, affirming that Mr. Moon wrote to Mr. Kim that despite “

disappointing moments

”, they took a “

step

” to “

change destiny of the Korean peninsula

.

Tense atmosphere between the two Koreas

A message surely also intended for

Yoon Seok-yeol, the next South Korean president

who advocates firmness vis-à-vis Pyongyang.

But despite this rather cordial exchange, relations are very tense between the two countries after North Korea broke its moratorium on

the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

And the calendar is conducive to escalation: joint military exercises between Americans and South Koreans began this week.

Training experienced as a provocation by Pyongyang which, for its part, seems ready to take the next step.

Either on the occasion of a military parade for the anniversary of the popular army on Monday, or with a resumption of nuclear tests, interrupted since 2017.

► To read also: In Seoul, tension is rising with the North Korean neighbor

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  • South Korea

  • North Korea

  • Moon Jae-in

  • Kim Jong Un