Lee In-young: "The Korea-US Working Group Must Be Reoriented to Function as a Direction for Inter-Korean Relations Development"

Meeting with Harry Harris, U.S. Ambassador to Korea
"Reorganize and readjust operations and functions... Let's create Working Group 2.0"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is greeting Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, with an elbow bump instead of a handshake on the 18th at the Minister's office in the Government Seoul Office Building, marking their first meeting since his inauguration.

Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, met with Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, on the 18th and said, "The Korea-U.S. Working Group should clarify and aim its role toward promoting inter-Korean relations development and peace policies on the Korean Peninsula by readjusting and reorganizing its operation and functions," proposing to open the era of 'Korea-U.S. Working Group 2.0.'

Minister Lee met Ambassador Harris for the first time since his inauguration in the afternoon at the Ministry of Unification office in the Government Seoul Office Complex and said, "I believe that through functional readjustment, we can dispel concerns that the Korea-U.S. Working Group acts as a mechanism restricting inter-Korean relations."

He added, "We need to upgrade the Korea-U.S. Working Group to version 2.0. I hope Ambassador Harris and I can open the era of 'Korea-U.S. Working Group 2.0' together, and I ask for continued close communication and cooperation with the United States."

He continued, "Like the Korean proverb that the ground hardens after rain, I ask for active cooperation from the U.S. side so that inter-Korean relations can overcome the deadlock phase and be reborn as a stronger relationship."

Ambassador Harris said, "The United States, as South Korea's closest ally and partner, actively supports finding solutions for the development of inter-Korean relations through the Korea-U.S. Working Group."

He added, "I believe this (Korea-U.S. Working Group) helps create a more stable environment on the Korean Peninsula. Lee Do-hoon, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Office for Peace and Northeast Asia, and Lee Soo-hyuck, Ambassador to the U.S., have also made similar remarks, and as they said, the Korea-U.S. Working Group is an efficient mechanism."

Ambassador Harris also said, "I look forward to hearing your opinion on the scope of Korea-U.S. Working Group 2.0."

Furthermore, Ambassador Harris expressed willingness to cooperate on peace issues on the Korean Peninsula, saying, "We jointly pursue lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, changes in relations with North Korea, and complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."

The Korea-U.S. Working Group, a consultative body that comprehensively discusses Korean Peninsula issues, has been criticized for hindering inter-Korean cooperation projects promoted by the South Korean government and civic groups. Some civic organizations have called for the dissolution of the Korea-U.S. Working Group.

Minister Lee acknowledges the effectiveness of the Korea-U.S. Working Group but holds the position that not all matters need to be bound by it. While issues related to North Korea sanctions should be resolved through the Korea-U.S. Working Group, he has stated since before his inauguration that smaller trade or individual tourism and other inter-Korean matters not subject to sanctions should be pursued autonomously and independently.

On the 3rd, Minister Lee met with executives of civic groups in the social and cultural sectors and promised to strive to resume dialogue and cooperation with North Korea, stating, "We will distinguish between parts that require consultation with the Korea-U.S. Working Group and those that do not, and proceed accordingly."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification explained that this meeting was a courtesy visit by Ambassador Harris to greet Minister Lee on his inauguration. Minister Lee is scheduled to meet Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, on the following day, the 19th.

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