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[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Amid North Korea's continued hardline stance, Lee Do-hoon, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office for Peace and Security Affairs on the Korean Peninsula, who made a sudden visit to the United States, returned to Korea on the 20th after completing his visit.

Lee, who arrived through Incheon International Airport in the afternoon, did not respond at all to questions about the discussions held with the U.S. during this visit. When asked whether he had discussions with the U.S. regarding North Korea issues, he said, "We are continuously communicating," without providing specific details.

Earlier, when departing from Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C., he only nodded in response to reporters' questions about the results of discussions with U.S. officials, refraining from further comments.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during this visit, Lee met with U.S. officials including Steven, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, who is the U.S. dialogue partner, to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula. It is believed that they discussed cooperation measures regarding North Korea's potential additional provocations, such as the demolition of the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, amid North Korea's continued hardline actions.

In particular, since the Korean government has shown its willingness to improve inter-Korean relations through cooperation projects for abductees from the beginning of the year, attention is focused on whether discussions related to the operation of the Korea-U.S. working group took place. The Korea-U.S. working group was launched in November 2018 but has been criticized for being an obstacle rather than a catalyst for improving inter-Korean relations. Within the ruling party, there have been calls not only for its ineffectiveness but also for its dissolution.

This visit by Lee is the first in about five months since January. However, unlike previous visits to the U.S., considering the deteriorating situation on the Korean Peninsula, he avoided exposing his itinerary and conducted the schedule privately.

Upon arrival, Lee underwent a COVID-19 test at the quarantine station at Incheon Airport and, according to the Ministry of Personnel Management's guidelines for public officials' work management, plans to work from home for 14 days without going to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office.

Lee stated, "Although I could have been exempted from quarantine and traveled back and forth, I am entering quarantine to avoid causing harm to others."

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