By Park Gil-ja and Kim Minji “Since hosting Kim Jong Un’s sister at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in February, South Korean President Moon Jae-in has met his counterpart from the North in three historic summits on the future of the Korean Peninsula this year, as well as brokering the landmark meeting between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump,,” the U.S.-based weekly said Dec. 10. President Moon has held two summits with North Korean leader Kim this year to reduce tension and raise peace prospects on the Korean Peninsula. a Time announced the shortlist of its 10 nominees for the honor on the “Today Show” of NBC and its final selection will be made on Dec. 11.

President Moon Jae-in on Dec. 10 stressed the role of peace in human rights, saying, “Peace will guarantee human rights and that will secure peace.”  In a ceremony marking Human Rights Day at the Seoul Cathedral of the Anglican Church of Korea, the chief executive said, “Removing the remnants of the Cold War and setting up a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula are all intended to secure human rights and a decent life for the Korean people.” “This will serve as the foundation for freedom, justice and peace of not just the Korean Peninsula but also Northeast Asia and the whole world.”  Moon is the second sitting president to attend the Human Rights Day ceremony; Roh Moo-hyun was the first in 2003. 

President Moon Jae-in and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Dec. 4 agreed to bolster cooperation in science and technology, the defense industry and research on Antarctica in their bilateral summit in Auckland. The two leaders emphasized the shared values of their respective governments -- people-centered values and inclusive growth -- and agreed to create synergy between Seoul’s New Southern Policy and Wellington’s Pacific Reset strategy.