Moon says South Korea-U.S. alliance key to recent steps to denuclearise peninsula

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's President Moon Jae-in said on Friday that recent steps toward denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula were only possible due to the deterrent provided by the US-South Korea alliance, and preparations made in tandem to engage North Korea diplomatically. "The successful summits, between the two Koreas and between North Korea and United States, steps toward complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and permanent peace were only possible with the support of the deterrent and the preparatory stance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance," Moon said. Moon's comment was made in a letter sent to commemorate the opening ceremony of the United Nations Command and U.S. Forces Korea's new headquarters building at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys south of Seoul. (Reporting by Christine Kim; Writing by Joyce Lee; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)