Moon Jae-In and Donald Trump
Moon Jae-In and Donald TrumpReuters

South Korean President Moon Jae-in hailed the recent meetings between North Korean leaders and representatives of both the US and South Korea, adding that the talks underway towards halting North Korea’s nuclear weapons program should earn President Donald Trump a Nobel Peace Prize.

President Moon met with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un last week in a historic gathering along the Demilitarized Zone which has separated North and South since the end of the Korean War 65 years ago.

In a turn of events which just months ago seemed impossible, President Donald Trump and the North Korean leader also agreed to meet. According to Trump, the meeting could take place as early as next month.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Kim Jong Un over the weekend, and expressed optimism that the new talks with North Korea could yield a major deal, ending the rogue state’s nuclear arms program.

“My goal was to try and identify if there was a real opportunity there,” Pompeo told ABC.

“I believe there is.”

Kim Jong Un has reportedly agreed to close his nation’s nuclear test site next month, as part of the talks with the US and South Korea.

According to a report by Reuters, South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in credits President Trump with the shift in North Korea’s stance on negotiations, and suggested the US president should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

“President Trump should win the Nobel Peace Prize. What we need is only peace,” President Moon is quoted as telling his cabinet on Monday.

Three months ago, Moon praised Trump for advancing peace talks, saying he deserved “big credit for bringing about the inter-Korean talks.”

“It could be a resulting work of the US-led sanctions and pressure.”

President Trump has pressed the Chinese government, North Korea’s primary trading partner, to clamp down on the rogue regime. In 2018, China began imposing sanctions on Pyongyang, limiting trade and causing shortages of non-essential goods in North Korea.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham (R), a frequent critic of President Trump during the 2016 presidential election, echoed President Moon's comments, telling Fox News that if Trump's efforts lead to a comprehensive deal with North Korea, he should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

"Donald Trump convinced North Korea and China he was serious about bringing about change. We're not there yet, but if this happens, President Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize."