According to Seoul, the two leaders expressed that wish when they exchanged letters this week, due to that Moon will leave office soon.

Moon urged Kim to resume talks soon with the United States and make efforts to talk with the new Government of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol.

He also called for overcoming the era of confrontation with talks.

Meanwhile, North Korean media reported that Kim hailed Moon’s achievements in the inter-Korean rapprochement and hoped that much more progress could be made in this regard if the South and the North make sincere efforts.

He described the meetings as historic and assessed the recent exchange of letters as “an expression of deep trust.”

Last year, the two Koreas restored their telephone links with the aim of taking further steps toward improving the bilateral relations.

pgh/iff/rgh/ymr