President Moon Jae-in says the only viable option right now to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue is uniting the international community in pressing the regime.

Moon made the remark Friday before departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport, wrapping up his five-day trip to the U.S. city of New York.

He told reporters aboard the presidential airplane that it is difficult to seek another solution to the matter given heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula following the North's latest provocations.

The president said, however, if the current crisis passes and Pyongyang stops its provocations, it may become possible to explore a more fundamental solution to the issue.

Moon admitted problems surrounding North Korea will not be resolved immediately, but he was still optimistic, saying the international community is in the process of moving toward a solution.  

He also said international coordination is going smoothly, and other countries are also expressing support for South Korea’s stance to seek a peaceful solution.