President Moon Jae-in called for bipartisan efforts Monday to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully, noting the country was now facing what he called an "unprecedented" security crisis.

"As this unprecedented and tense security crisis continues to surround the Korean Peninsula, I ask for bipartisan support from the ruling and opposition parties, as well as the people, at least on this issue," the president said while meeting his top aides for a weekly meeting held at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.

North Korea staged its sixth and latest nuclear test on Sept. 3, followed by a launch of an intermediate range ballistic missile across Japan's air space on Sept. 15, which marked its 10th missile provocation since the Moon Jae-in administration took office in May.
 

Moon's remarks came after the presidential office said it would seek to arrange a special meeting between the president and the heads of the five ruling and opposition parties.

Cheong Wa Dae said the president will personally explain the outcome of his recent trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he also held a series of summit talks with other global leaders, including US President Donald Trump.

"There were many good results, but the most important one was that we reaffirmed the international community's commitment to strong sanctions against North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations, along with its commitment to the principle of a peaceful resolution, through summit meetings with the leaders of various countries," the president said, according to Cheong Wa Dae pool reports.

"Maintaining the principle of a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and assuring our people and the international community of such a principle is also important for our economic growth and the successful hosting of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games," he added.

Still, many believe the meeting between the president and political party leaders will also provide a chance for Moon to ask for opposition support on the North Korean nuclear issue and many others, including the appointment of Moon's designates for various top government posts.

The opposition-led parliament earlier rejected Moon's nominee for the new chief of the Constitutional Court, forcing the president to choose a new candidate. The president has yet to do so.

Moon personally extended his invitation to the ruling and opposition party leaders.

"We need to gather our wisdom to jointly deal with the grave security condition and discuss ways to ensure productive politics by forming a standing consultation body between the ruling and opposition parties and the government," he said.

Currently, the ruling Democratic Party controls 121 parliamentary seats, the largest number held by any single party but far short of a majority in the 300-seat house.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party has 107 seats, while the splinter conservative Bareun Party controls 40 seats. (Yonhap)