Lee Do-hoon - Bieogeon, US-Korea Senior Representatives on North Korea Nuclear Talks Phone Call: "Recent Assessment of the Korean Peninsula Situation"

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un Appears to Discuss 'Health Rumors' and Related Issues

Steve Biegun, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy at the Department of State, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 16th and shook hands with Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a phone consultation on the 28th with Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea. It is reported that they also discussed the recent health rumors surrounding Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, which had attracted global attention.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that "both sides shared assessments of the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula and exchanged views on cooperation measures between the two countries to achieve substantial progress toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace." Regarding the health rumors about Chairman Kim Jong-un, it is believed that they conveyed that no unusual developments have been observed.

The Ministry added that both sides evaluated the communication and consultations taking place at various levels between the two countries concerning North Korea’s nuclear and related issues and agreed to continue close cooperation going forward.

Earlier, Minister Kang stated in a briefing to the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee that "Chairman Kim Jong-un has not made any public appearances since attending the Politburo meeting on the 11th, but despite recent reports, no unusual developments have been observed within North Korea."

He continued, "Considering internal personnel adjustments, including the diplomatic line, made during recent events such as the Supreme People’s Assembly, we are closely monitoring North Korea’s foreign policy trends."

At the Supreme People’s Assembly, North Korea elected Ri Son-gwon as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Kim Hyun-jun as Director of the Workers’ Party International Department as State Affairs Commission members.

In response, Minister Kang explained, "North Korea appears to be focusing on internal management to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at present," adding, "They are concentrating on strengthening healthcare capabilities, such as the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pyongyang General Hospital and expanding the health sector budget."

He also expressed the intention to continue diplomatic efforts to achieve tangible results in the Korean Peninsula peace process and to cooperate with the international community to advance inter-Korean cooperation projects.

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