"US Government Reaffirms Support for Improvement of Inter-Korean Relations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Lee Do-hoon, the head of the Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiation Headquarters, stated on the 17th (local time) that "the U.S. government’s supportive stance on improving inter-Korean relations was reaffirmed."

During his visit to the U.S., Lee held a press briefing at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington DC and said that the agreement was reached during a meeting with Steven Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, adding, "We confirmed the U.S.’s consistent support for the improvement of inter-Korean relations itself."

Lee also revealed that in the meeting with Deputy Secretary Biegun, they agreed "that South Korea and the U.S. will closely cooperate on inter-Korean relations, the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the establishment of a permanent peace."

This is interpreted as confirming U.S. support for the South Korean government’s plan to advance inter-Korean relations through inter-Korean cooperation projects such as individual tours to North Korea, amid the stalemate in North Korea-U.S. relations. At the same time, it reflects a shared understanding that South Korea and the U.S. will continue close coordination and cooperation not only on improving inter-Korean relations but also on the goals of North Korean denuclearization and peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula.

Regarding consultations with Deputy Secretary Biegun, Lee said, "We discussed what North Korea’s intentions are and what to do going forward," adding, "The common concern between South Korea and the U.S. now is how to bring North Korea back to dialogue, as North Korea is keeping open the possibility of provocations on various occasions, so how to prevent these provocations."

He said, "We are always discussing cooperation measures on these two issues," and noted that the U.S. seems to be making significant efforts to bring North Korea to dialogue, stating, "The U.S. is focusing primarily on preventing North Korean provocations and then bringing them to dialogue."

Regarding consultations on improving inter-Korean relations, Lee explained, "In fact, this was also done in the context of consultations between South Korea and the U.S. on how to bring North Korea to dialogue and prevent provocations."

He emphasized, "This issue has just started consultations between South Korea and the U.S., and since we cannot afford to delay, we plan to proceed with consultations quickly and with a sense of urgency."

Meanwhile, concerning Deputy Secretary Biegun’s appointment, Lee said, "Deputy Secretary Biegun stated that he will continue to focus on Korean Peninsula issues and inter-Korean relations as long as he holds the position of Special Representative for North Korea," adding, "He said he would fly to South Korea anytime if necessary to talk and consult."

Lee arrived in the U.S. on the 15th, held consultations and had lunch with Deputy Secretary Biegun the day before, and attended the deputy secretary’s inauguration ceremony on this day. After completing the remaining schedule, he will return home on the 18th.

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