Lee In-young Meets Chinese Ambassador to Korea, Requests Cooperation on 'Inter-Korean Cooperation'

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is delivering a congratulatory speech at the "Time Forum for Resuming Inter-Korean Exchanges Including Allowing Individual Tourism to North Korea," held on the afternoon of the 14th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul.

On the 18th, Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, met with Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, and on the 19th, he is scheduled to meet with Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to South Korea. During the meeting with Ambassador Harris, Minister Lee showed subtle differences in perspective regarding the Korea-U.S. working group. In his meeting with Ambassador Xing, he is expected to request China’s cooperation on key initiatives such as individual tourism to North Korea and barter trade between the two Koreas.

The Ministry of Unification announced that Minister Lee will meet Ambassador Xing in his office at the Government Seoul Office Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon. This meeting is part of the customary meetings with the ambassadors of the four major powers since his appointment as Minister of Unification.

During this meeting, Minister Lee is expected to explain the government’s plans for inter-Korean cooperation projects and request China’s role in the policy implementation process. Minister Lee views individual tourism to North Korea as a "creative solution" to break the deadlock in inter-Korean relations. The Ministry of Unification has been considering allowing tourism to North Korea via third countries, provided that visitors have visas issued by North Korean authorities. China, which shares a border with North Korea and has established permanent direct flight routes, is a key intermediary for individual tourism to North Korea.

The government is also promoting "small-scale trade" through barter with North Korea. Even before his appointment, Minister Lee proposed exchanging North Korean products such as water from Mount Kumgang, water from Mount Baekdu, and Daedonggang liquor for South Korean rice and medicines. In June, South Korea’s Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Agricultural Cooperative and North Korea’s Kaesong Koryo Ginseng Trading Company signed a contract to exchange North Korean Kaesong Koryo ginseng liquor and wild berry liquor for South Korean sugar. A Chinese company acted as an intermediary between the two Koreas, and if the contract is approved, it is expected that the barter trade will also be conducted through China, given the Chinese company’s intermediary role.

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 during their first meeting since his inauguration on the 18th at the Minister's office in the Government Seoul Office Building.

Minister Lee reportedly explained these plans during his meeting with Ambassador Harris the previous day. However, during this process, Minister Lee emphasized the need to readjust the functions and roles of the Korea-U.S. working group, leading to a subtle tension. Minister Lee stated, "The Korea-U.S. working group should clarify and aim for its role in promoting inter-Korean relations and peace policies on the Korean Peninsula by readjusting and reorganizing its operation and functions," adding, "We need to upgrade the Korea-U.S. working group to version 2.0." This statement is interpreted as reflecting criticisms from the ruling party and some civic groups that the Korea-U.S. working group is hindering inter-Korean cooperation projects. In response, Ambassador Harris defended the current system, saying, "The Korea-U.S. working group is an efficient mechanism," and added, "I look forward to hearing opinions on the scope of Korea-U.S. working group 2.0."

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