Lee Do-hoon, Head of the Korea Peace Negotiations Office, Makes Sudden Visit to the US... Likely to Discuss Response to North Korea's Hardline Moves

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Amid North Korea's continued hardline actions, including blowing up the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, redeploying military units to guard posts (GPs), and announcing the resumption of military exercises in the West Sea, Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a sudden visit to the United States.

Director Lee arrived in Washington, D.C. on the 18th (Korean time), approximately 32 hours after North Korea destroyed the Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, beginning his visit to the U.S. When asked by reporters at Dulles Airport near Washington, D.C. about the purpose of his visit, he firmly declined to comment, saying, "I cannot say anything at this time."

This unannounced visit marks the first time in about five months since January that Director Lee has traveled to the U.S. Due to the spread of COVID-19, he had only conducted non-face-to-face consultations with the U.S. side. On April 28, he had a phone call with Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, during which they shared assessments of the Korean Peninsula situation, including rumors about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's health.

Director Lee's visit is widely interpreted as carrying out a special envoy role. On the 17th, the Blue House held an emergency National Security Council (NSC) meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., chaired by National Security Advisor Chung Eui-yong, to analyze North Korea's hardline moves and discuss response measures.

During his visit, Director Lee is expected to meet with U.S. officials, including Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, as well as Robert O'Brien, U.S. National Security Advisor at the White House, to discuss issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

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