South Korean President Moon Jae-in gave a speech on Thursday to commemorate the 17th anniversary of June 15th North–South Joint Declaration, reiterating his desire to improve inter-Korean relations and calling for talks between Pyongyang and Seoul.

In his speech, the President praised the late-Kim Dae-jung’s Sunshine Policy, adding that dialogue with Pyongyang would be possible if North Korea ceased its nuclear and missile tests.

The speech’s timing is significant: recent gestures by Seoul towards reconciliation have been repeatedly rejected by Pyongyang, and attempts by South Korea’s National Assembly to promote family reunions this August was met with demandsby Pyongyang that