Director Lee Do-hoon Visits US, Holds Korea-US North Korea Nuclear Talks... "Crucial Moment for Peace Progress" (Comprehensive)

North Korea Likely to Discuss Shooting Incident of South Korean Official Who Crossed Border... "Our Current Task Is Fact-Finding"
Meetings with U.S. Administration Officials Scheduled Until the 30th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Lee Do-hoon, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office for Peace and Security on the Korean Peninsula, has scheduled a visit to Washington DC to consult with his dialogue partner, Steven Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

On the 27th, before departing from Incheon International Airport, Director Lee told reporters, "We are currently at a very critical point in advancing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "I plan to meet with Representative Biegun to closely discuss how to stably manage the current situation, resume dialogue, and pursue the tasks of complete denuclearization and peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula."

Director Lee is also expected to discuss the recent incident in which North Korean forces shot a South Korean official who had defected across the border at sea. He emphasized, "All matters related to the Korean Peninsula will be discussed," and added, "Our current task is to ascertain the facts." He further stated, "I will not make any presumptions about future prospects or the impact on inter-Korean relations."

Regarding the so-called "October Surprise," which had been raised in some U.S. circles, Director Lee took a cautious stance. He said, "Since this is a very sensitive and important time, I will not make any assumptions about any situation," but added, "However, we will be prepared for all possibilities."

Director Lee will stay in the U.S. for a 3-night, 4-day schedule until the 30th. This visit marks about three months since his last visit in June, and during this trip, he plans to meet not only with Representative Biegun but also with officials from the U.S. administration.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, "During the telephone consultation between the South Korean and U.S. chief nuclear negotiators on the 2nd, following Representative Biegun's invitation, both sides plan to hold broad consultations on overall North Korea policy, including ways to advance cooperation between the two countries to achieve complete denuclearization and a permanent peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula under the current circumstances."

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