SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping called his new South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in on Thursday to congratulate him on his inauguration, the first time such a call has been made from Beijing to Seoul and one that raises the prospect of a thaw in relations between the Asian neighbors.
South Korea's first liberal leader in a decade, Moon also said he'll "sincerely negotiate" with the United States, Seoul's top ally, and China, South Korea's top trading partner, over the contentious deployment of an advanced USA missile-defense system in southern South Korea.
Tuesday's election was a landmark in the country's political history, taking place after Park's presidency was terminated in March through an impeachment process in the aftermath of a massive abuse of power and corruption scandal.
Moon said at his inauguration Wednesday he is prepared to lead a major global diplomatic effort to find a peaceful resolution to the tense security situation. "I am willing to go anywhere for the peace of the Korean Peninsula - if needed, I will fly immediately to Washington".
He also said he was prepared to go to Pyongyang "if the conditions are right".
Tensions have been running high with rhetoric intensifying on both sides, but Trump recently softened his posture, saying he would be "honoured" to meet the North's leader Kim Jong-Un. "I see no more tasks left for me", Kim said via his office.
Moon, 64, also pledged to sever what he described as the collusive ties between business and government that have plagued many of South Korea's family-run conglomerates, known as chaebol, and vowed to be an incorruptible leader.
Moon said he'd be willing to negotiate with both China and the U.S. regarding THAAD, short for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.
Now he returns as head of the organisation under new President Moon Jae-In, who has declared his willingness to engage Pyongyang.
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Moon's campaign promises include a "National Interest First" policy that struck a chord with people who want South Korea to stand up to powerful allies and neighbours.
Moon was sworn is as South Korea's new President on Wednesday after his victory in Tuesday's presidential election.
There's widespread opposition in South Korea to the THAAD deployment and loud protests from China, which also sees the system as a security threat. I will make a great Korea, a proud Korea.
Xi officially invited Moon to visit Beijing, Yoon added.
North Korea last week accused the Central Intelligence Agency of plotting with the South to assassinate Kim using a biochemical weapon, an allegation impossible to verify - and following the killing of his half-brother Kim Jong-Nam in Malaysia with a banned nerve agent, a murder widely blamed on Pyongyang.
Abe said it was important to fulfill the terms of the agreement, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda told reporters in Tokyo.
"Still, Moon is expected to engage in discussions, which could improve North-South relations", he said. Moon has called for a renegotiation of the pact.
North Korea's heightened threat could change Moon's calculus once in power.
The Thaad system "is operational and has the ability to intercept North Korean missiles and defend the Republic of Korea", a spokesman for US Forces Korea confirmed on May 2.
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