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South Korea's New President Brings A New Stance On North Korea

President-elect Moon Jae-in has advocated for more negotiations and economic cooperation with North Korea.

South Korea's New President Brings A New Stance On North Korea
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South Korea may soon cooperate more with North Korea. And some wonder if it will cause a rift with the U.S.

Newly elected President Moon Jae-in has advocated for more negotiations and economic cooperation with the North.

From 1998 to 2008, North and South Korea actively engaged with each other under what was called the Sunshine Policy. But that didn't stop the North's nuclear program.

Moon's sympathetic view of the North seems to contradict President Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric. But Trump recently said he'd be "honored" to meet with Kim Jong-un.

An American Missile Defense System Is Now Working In South Korea
An American Missile Defense System Is Now Working In South Korea

An American Missile Defense System Is Now Working In South Korea

The THAAD system can sense incoming missiles and shoot them down.

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Moon told The Washington Post, "President Trump uses strong rhetoric toward North Korea, but ... he also said he could talk over a burger with Kim Jong Un."

Also like Trump, Moon has criticized former President Barack Obama's "strategic patience" approach to North Korea, which was heavy on sanctions.

Trump and Moon have both advocated proactive policies, but Moon's is less strong-armed.

Before the election, the North Korea government asked South Koreans to vote for a more liberal candidate.