New ROK president says to visit DPRK under right conditions

SEOUL -- President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea (ROK) said Wednesday he will visit Pyongyang, capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), under right conditions.

Moon was sworn in as the country's new president at a main hall of the parliamentary building, just hours after winning a landslide victory in the five-way presidential race.

His presidential power came into force right after his election victory was confirmed by the election commission as he has no usual transition period for the impeachment of his predecessor.

In a televised inaugural speech, Moon said he will be on the move for peace on the Korean Peninsula, vowing to visit Pyongyang if conditions are created.

The new leader also vowed to sincerely consult with the United States and China to resolve the issue on the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system.

Part of the US missile interception system was transported in the middle of the night to the THAAD deployment site in the country's southeastern region, causing strong protests from anti-THAAD activists and residents.

Moon argued for a parliamentary ratification and public consensus for the THAAD installation that can influence the South Korean society from the diplomatic, security and economic perspectives.