Pope's possible visit to North Korea fuels peace momentum

President Moon Jae-in smiles after receiving a rosary case from Pope Francis as a gift during their meeting at the Vatican Thursday. At right is first lady Kim Jung-sook. Moon and Kim are both Catholics. / Yonhap.

By Yi Whan-woo

President Moon Jae-in's vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula is expected to gain further momentum after Pope Francis accepted a handwritten letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inviting him to visit Pyongyang, according to analysts, Friday.

The letter was presented to the pope by President Moon, Thursday

If realized, this will be the first visit by a leader of the Catholic Church to the North Korea, and could speed up Pyongyang's efforts to be recognized as a "normal state" connected to the outside world. This is in line with Moon's vision, the analysts noted.

"The pope has been a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Because of this, Pope Francis' possible North Korea trip is not only historical but can also reshape the global image of the internationally-isolated regime," said Park Won-gon, a professor of international relations at Handong Global University. "This can eventually heighten global awareness toward denuclearization as well as Moon's determination to declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War."

The professor pointed out that Pope Francis has been praised for helping normalize relations between countries or parties in conflict. Among them are the United States and Cuba, and the Colombian government and the FARC rebel group.

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, said the papal visit could help stop the suppression of underground churches and human rights violations by the reclusive regime, as well as assist it in reconciling with democratic countries.

Human rights abuses, along with its nuclear program, have been the main reasons for international criticism of Pyongyang. The Kim regime has denied the abuse accusations.

"Of course, the Vatican and Pyongyang will need to coordinate the agenda and other details, and whether human rights issues will be discussed," Yang said. "But even so, such a visit will force Kim Jong-un to decide on whether to continue deceiving the world or to improve human rights in line with international norms."

Some analysts say a papal visit may influence the Donald Trump administration's North Korea policy.

Washington has insisted on retaining sanctions on North Korea and has called for progress on inter-Korean relations to be in lockstep with progress on denuclearization.

It has apparently been displeased with the Moon government as Seoul has been speeding up efforts for cross-border cooperation.

"I don't think a papal visit will change the course of U.S. policy on North Korea. But it can at least influence Washington to think the policy over," a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy said on condition of anonymity.

Professor Park speculated a papal trip could speed up arrangements for a second summit between Kim and Trump.

Pope Francis' acceptance of the invitation to visit North Korea was a surprise because the Vatican previously insisted that this would only be possible if Catholic priests were allowed in the country.

The Kim regime has no Catholic priests, or a Catholic Bishops' Conference, another condition required by the Vatican for a papal visit.