Busy South Korea-US Diplomatic and Security Lines... Lee Do-hoon’s Visit to the US Also Discusses 'End-of-War Declaration'

Third High-Level Diplomatic and Security Visit to the U.S. This Month
Planned Meetings with U.S. Administration Officials Including Deputy Secretary Biegun

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Following Kim Hyun-jong, the Deputy Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House, making an urgent visit to the United States, Lee Do-hoon, the Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Office for Peace and Northeast Asia, also visited the U.S., intensifying the diplomatic and security activities between South Korea and the United States. High-level face-to-face diplomacy, which had been hindered by the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is now focusing ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November. The atmosphere is further charged with tension following North Korea’s shooting of a South Korean official who had crossed into the North. After the Chuseok holiday ends on the 4th of next month, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is also scheduled to visit South Korea for the first time in two years.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 28th, Lee Do-hoon, South Korea’s Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, is expected to meet with various U.S. administration officials, including Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, until the 30th (local time). This marks the third high-level visit to the U.S. this month, following visits by Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Foreign Minister, and Kim Hyun-jong, Deputy Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House.

Earlier this month, Choi Jong-geon visited the U.S. to discuss bilateral issues and review the Korean Peninsula peace process, and agreed to establish a new working-level consultative body called the “Alliance Dialogue.” Subsequently, Kim Hyun-jong made a secret visit to the U.S. and from the 16th to the 20th, spent five days meeting with officials from the State Department, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Commerce, and think tank representatives.

This time, Lee Do-hoon has been dispatched. With several pressing issues such as President Moon Jae-in’s proposal for a “Korean Peninsula End-of-War Declaration” at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and North Korea’s shooting of the South Korean official who crossed into the North, the stakes have become even higher. Lee is expected to bring up the “End-of-War Declaration” announced by President Moon during his UN General Assembly speech on the 23rd for discussion. Considering the situation on the Korean Peninsula and political issues within the U.S., this is seen as a critical turning point.

On the 27th (local time), Lee met with reporters at Dulles Airport near Washington D.C. When asked if the End-of-War Declaration would be discussed with the U.S., he said, “The purpose of this visit is to talk about all related issues, so naturally, I intend to discuss the End-of-War Declaration.” When asked if they aim to push for the declaration before the U.S. presidential election, he added, “We will talk about it. I plan to discuss what thoughts they have.”

Before departure, at Incheon Airport, he also told reporters, “We are currently at a very important point in advancing the Korean Peninsula peace process,” and “I plan to meet with Special Representative Biegun to closely coordinate on how to manage the current situation stably and resume dialogue to promote the peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula.”

The shooting incident of the South Korean official who crossed into North Korea is also expected to be on the discussion table. An unusual official apology from North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un was issued four days after the incident, and there is a high possibility that the letters exchanged between the South and North Korean leaders on the 8th and 12th will be discussed. Before departure, Lee said, “The current task is to establish the facts, and I will not speculate on the impact on inter-Korean relations.” After arriving in the U.S., at Dulles Airport, he said, “I plan to focus on how we can cooperate together (with the U.S.).”

The U.S. State Department, maintaining a cautious stance, expressed strong support for the South Korean government’s response and gave a positive evaluation of Kim Jong-un’s official apology. The State Department expressed deep condolences over the incident and said, “North Korea’s apology is a helpful step,” emphasizing, “We strongly support South Korea’s condemnation as an ally and South Korea’s demand for a full explanation from North Korea.”

Diplomatic sources said, “Lee Do-hoon’s visit to the U.S. was originally aligned with managing the Korean Peninsula situation in preparation for possible provocations on the Workers’ Party of Korea’s founding anniversary on the 10th of next month, but given the recent rapid changes, both sides are likely to focus on understanding the situation,” adding, “The focus of discussions will likely be on Lee raising the resumption of denuclearization talks and the Korean Peninsula process, while strengthening the cooperative framework on North Korea.”

Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, and Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea Policy, are leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul on the morning of the 8th after concluding their talks and are being interviewed by the press. Photo by Joint Press Corps

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