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resident Moon Jae-in has made extraordinary efforts to open communication channels with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and to enhance efforts toward peace. The president’s all-out attempts are commendable despite little confidence from the international community and even from his own people.

It is true that Kim Jong-un had brilliantly manipulated the opening ceremony at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium to charm the global audience and South Koreans. It is also quite unlikely that he will soften his nuclear threats just because of South Korea’s persuasive approach. It will not change anything in terms of nuclear negotiations.

Moon has succeeded in carrying out his presidential campaign pledges as a “peace maker”. Tactically, he had humiliated himself in facing the North, but the Winter Olympics indeed provides about the only chance for him to develop personal communications with the enemy. To a certain extent, his tireless efforts seem to have paid off.

The North will continue to threaten the world with nuclear weapons and threaten to destroy the United States. But Kim also realized that the tightening of United Nations economic sanctions could trigger domestic unrest and, therefore, he needed to indicate a willingness to support peace negotiations. China also has repeatedly expressed frustration with Pyongyang and trade between the two countries has been reduced as a result.

President Moon met with Kim’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, four times during her visit to attend the Olympics. The concrete result? She conveyed a personal letter from her brother for Moon to visit Pyongyang. It was a diplomatic coup for Seoul. Now, he has a chance to hold a bilateral summit with Kim.

Moon knows he should lessen dependence on the US because President Donald Trump is no less unpredictable than the neighboring leader. The prolonged tension on the peninsula will endanger regional and global security stability. His country will suffer the most if the North continues to destabilize the region.

US Vice President Mike Pence was clearly displeased with Moon’s initiative. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also warned Moon over his diplomatic offensive to the North. But they did not offer any effective strategy in dealing with the North.

The North Korean leader has perfectly used the Winter Olympics as his propaganda tool. The South Korean leader , too, deserves more support from his own people.