Controversy over 'New Governor-General's Office' in Korea-US Working Group... Lee In-young Meets US Harris, Says "Let's Restructure" (Summary)

Minister of Unification Meets with Harry Harris, U.S. Ambassador to Korea
"Operational and Functional Reorganization... 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.

Minister of Unification Lee In-young met with Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, on the 18th and proposed readjusting the functions and roles of the Korea-U.S. Working Group to create a 'Korea-U.S. Working Group 2.0.'

On the same day, in the afternoon at the Ministry of Unification office in the Government Seoul Office Building, Minister Lee met Ambassador Harris for the first time since his inauguration and said, "The Korea-U.S. Working Group should clarify and pursue its role in promoting inter-Korean relations development and peace policies on the Korean Peninsula by readjusting and reorganizing its operation and functions."

The Korea-U.S. Working Group, a consultative body where South Korea and the U.S. comprehensively discuss Korean Peninsula issues, has been criticized for hindering inter-Korean cooperation projects promoted by the South Korean government and civic groups. North Korea and some domestic civic organizations have labeled the Korea-U.S. Working Group as a 'New Joseon Governor-General's Office' and have called for its disbandment.

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

He said, "(Through functional readjustment) I believe we can dispel concerns that the Korea-U.S. Working Group acts as a mechanism restricting inter-Korean relations."

Minister Lee added, "We need to upgrade the Korea-U.S. Working Group to version 2.0," and said, "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."

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," and noted, "Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lee Soo-hyuck, Ambassador to the U.S., have also made similar remarks, and according to them, the Korea-U.S. Working Group is an efficient mechanism."

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

He also said, "I look forward to hearing the Minister's opinion on the scope of Korea-U.S. Working Group 2.0."

The Ministry of Unification explained, "Minister Lee explained his vision to develop inter-Korean relations into a 'peace, economic community, and life community' through restoring inter-Korean dialogue, humanitarian cooperation such as food, medical aid, and fulfilling last wishes, small-scale trade, and implementation of inter-Korean agreements, and requested active support and cooperation from the U.S. side."

Additionally, it is known that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun conveyed his congratulations on Minister Lee's inauguration and expressed a desire to meet through Ambassador Harris.

When Minister Lee responded positively, Ambassador Harris reportedly expressed his intention to arrange a meeting between Minister Lee and Deputy Secretary Biegun while monitoring the COVID-19 situation.

Regarding the approximately 30-minute closed-door meeting that followed, the Ministry of Unification stated, "Both sides agreed on the importance of stable management of the Korean Peninsula situation and reaffirmed that the two countries must closely cooperate to promptly resume inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. dialogues."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification explained that this meeting was a courtesy visit by Ambassador Harris to congratulate Minister Lee on his inauguration. Minister Lee is scheduled to meet with 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.