Rising 'Korean Peninsula End-of-War Declaration,' US State Department: "Willing to Take a Flexible Approach, North Korea Must Be Engaged"

Lee Do-hoon and Biegun Discuss North Korea Nuclear Issues... Biegun: "Discussed Constructive Measures and Creative Ideas... Need for North Korea Engagement"
Lee Do-hoon Returns Home: "Better Roadmap Created Including Declaration of End of War" Evaluation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The U.S. Department of State urged North Korea to change its attitude by mentioning the promise between the North Korean and U.S. leaders regarding the "Korean Peninsula End-of-War Declaration" announced by President Moon Jae-in during last month's United Nations (UN) General Assembly speech.

According to Voice of America (VOA) on the 1st (local time), a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State responded in this vein to VOA's inquiry about how the End-of-War Declaration was discussed and what conclusions were reached during the U.S.-South Korea senior representatives' talks on North Korean nuclear issues held in Washington, D.C. Lee Do-hoon, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Stephen Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, met for consultations at the State Department building in Washington, D.C. on the 28th of last month.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State said, "We are willing to take a flexible approach to reach a balanced agreement on the promises made at the Singapore summit," adding, "However, North Korea must participate now while the window is open and stop provocations that destabilize the region."

This response from the State Department is interpreted as consistent with the position Deputy Secretary Biegun expressed to the press immediately after the U.S.-South Korea senior representatives' talks on North Korean nuclear issues on the 28th of last month. Deputy Secretary Biegun said he discussed constructive measures and creative ideas with Director General Lee, stating, "South Korea and the U.S. cannot do this alone; North Korea's engagement is necessary, and discussions are open whenever they are ready." Director General Lee also evaluated the meeting as "the best among recent discussions."

Director General Lee also revealed that substantive talks took place on his return trip after visiting the U.S. He told reporters at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., "I was able to meet with various U.S. administration officials involved in Korean Peninsula issues," adding, "I believe we had very meaningful and substantive conversations."

Regarding Deputy Secretary Biegun's evaluation of the meeting as excellent, he responded, "We had deep and broad discussions on how to resume talks with North Korea and how to advance denuclearization and the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula once talks resume," adding, "I think that is the point of significance."

When asked whether the "constructive measures" mentioned by Deputy Secretary Biegun included the End-of-War Declaration, Director General Lee said, "The End-of-War Declaration is an important issue, but please understand it as part of the overall process of creating a big picture." When further asked if the End-of-War Declaration is included in denuclearization talks, he replied, "Yes," adding, "Because we had very broad and meaningful discussions, I think a good foundation has been laid."

Meanwhile, after arriving at Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 1st, when asked by reporters whether the "creative ideas" might materialize before the U.S. presidential election, he said, "South Korea and the U.S. will consult through various occasions and means," adding, "There are various rumors circulating about an October surprise, but as I said, we have no intention to get ahead of that."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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