US Shows Subtle Shift in "Support for Inter-Korean Cooperation"... Lee Do-hoon Says "It's Just the Beginning"

Moon Jae-in Government's Strong Will for Independent Breakthrough in Inter-Korean Relations
Subtle Shift in US Stance Previously Only Urging Compliance with North Korea Sanctions
Government Drives Inter-Korean Cooperation Including Individual Tourism to North Korea

President Moon Jae-in is answering questions from the press at the 2020 New Year's press conference held at the Blue House's Yeongbingwan on the morning of the 14th.

As the government’s unilateral push to advance inter-Korean relations continues, subtle changes have been detected in the U.S. stance. The U.S., which had only urged the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea, has expressed support for inter-Korean cooperative projects.

On the 16th (local time), Voice of America (VOA) reported that the U.S. State Department, when asked to comment on Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha’s remark that "Inter-Korean relations might move ahead of North Korea-U.S. relations," stated, "The United States supports inter-Korean cooperation and is coordinating with our ally South Korea to ensure that inter-Korean cooperation proceeds in tandem with progress on denuclearization."

Although the condition that it must align with the pace of North Korea’s denuclearization was attached, this is interpreted as a more flexible stance compared to before. With North Korea reportedly notifying the South to dismantle South Korean facilities in the Mount Kumgang tourism zone by February, attention is focused on whether a new breakthrough in inter-Korean cooperation can be made.

Lee Do-hoon, director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Office for Peace and Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, who is currently visiting the U.S., also met with Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun at the State Department building in Washington, D.C. on the same day for a luncheon meeting. Afterwards, he told correspondents, "South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to closely consult on inter-Korean cooperative projects," adding, "It seems like this is just the beginning." This is interpreted as a step forward from the phase of conflict between "South Korea’s will" and "U.S. restrictions," moving toward a stage where South Korea and the U.S. will actively coordinate inter-Korean cooperation.

When President Moon Jae-in revealed his vision for independent inter-Korean relations and inter-Korean economic cooperation through his New Year’s address and press conference, the U.S. State Department had only emphasized the need to enforce sanctions and control the pace. This was widely interpreted as a U.S. attempt to restrain South Korea.

The Korea-U.S. Working Group is drawing attention as a concrete framework for consultation. On the 16th (Korean time), Harry Harris, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, emphasized close consultations between South Korea and the U.S. regarding the South Korean government’s independent plans for inter-Korean cooperation, such as individual tourism, and mentioned the role of the Working Group. He said, "To avoid misunderstandings that could trigger sanctions in the future, it is better to handle these matters through the Korea-U.S. Working Group."

Although most interpret the Korea-U.S. Working Group as a mechanism to put the brakes on inter-Korean relations, the government views the Working Group as an organization that enhances the efficiency of Korea-U.S. cooperation. Regarding Ambassador Harris’s remarks, Director Lee emphasized, "One thing I can say clearly is that the Working Group has been operating very efficiently and effectively."

The government is continuously sending messages about inter-Korean economic cooperation, urging North Korea to respond positively. Yoon Gun-young, former head of the Blue House’s National Planning and Situation Room, appeared on YTN on the 17th and said, "I think North Korea-U.S. relations are the front wheel, and inter-Korean relations are the rear wheel," emphasizing that now is the time to revive the power of the rear wheel. He interpreted North Korea’s recent statement criticizing the South as a demand to "become a party, not a mediator," and said the South should take proactive actions.

In this context, the Ministry of Unification recently hinted at the possibility of allowing "visa visits" to North Korea through third countries along with individual tourism to North Korea. This has led to speculation that North Korean tourism might be fully liberalized. This is because, as part of measures to revitalize inter-Korean exchanges, having a visa issued by North Korean authorities would allow tourism to North Korea via third countries such as China. There have been no cases yet of South Korean citizens individually touring North Korea through third countries. However, it is known that South Koreans with U.S. permanent residency have toured North Korea through travel agencies.

Lee Sang-min, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said, "I believe individual tourism by our citizens to North Korea can be realized," adding, "We are considering this as part of expanding civilian exchanges between South and North Korea." However, he also said, "North Korea has never issued visas to South Koreans for tourism," and "The most important thing is that North Korean authorities allow individual tourism by our citizens."

However, whether North Korea will respond positively remains uncertain. Since the "Hanoi No Deal" in February last year, North Korea has completely closed the door to inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation. At the end of December last year, North Korea sent a notification through the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office demanding the removal of all South Korean facilities in Mount Kumgang by February this year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.