Departure of ROK-US TF for Korean Peninsula, Meets with Biegun and Sherman... "Consultations on North Korean Nuclear Issue and ROK-US Alliance"

A Biden Administration Official Is Unlikely to Meet

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Members of the Democratic Party's 'Task Force for Responding to the Korean Peninsula and International Situation Following Leadership Changes in the U.S. and Japan (Korean Peninsula TF)' departed for the United States on the 15th. They are scheduled to meet with Steve Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea Policy, and Congressman Brad Sherman, a candidate for Chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Song Young-gil, Chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and head of the Democratic Party's Korean Peninsula TF, told reporters at Incheon Airport that morning, "During this visit, we will meet with Deputy Secretary of State Biegun, who has primarily handled North Korea-U.S. relations and Korean Peninsula issues," adding, "It seems important to discuss the subsequent process together with Deputy Secretary Biegun." He continued, "Congressman Sherman is also a leading candidate for Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, so we plan to discuss the North Korean nuclear issue and the Korea-U.S. alliance with him."

Regarding whether they plan to meet with officials from President-elect Joe Biden's transition team, he said, "Biden's transition team prohibits meetings with foreign politicians, so it seems difficult to meet directly," and added, "We are making efforts to have minimal contact with related parties, but it is difficult to disclose details."

Song said, "Fifty-two members of the U.S. House have submitted a resolution on a Korean Peninsula end-of-war declaration to the plenary session, so we will exchange opinions with U.S. lawmakers regarding that resolution," and stated, "We will strive to ensure that the Korean Peninsula peace policy mentioned by President Moon Jae-in is accepted and mutual understanding is enhanced under the Biden administration."

He added, "Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo plans to propose a resolution supporting the Korea-U.S. alliance in the National Assembly early next week," and said, "Congressmen Thomas Suozzi and James Langford have also submitted resolutions supporting the Korea-U.S. alliance in the U.S., which are expected to pass this time, so we plan to meet with these two lawmakers as well." He also said, "It is a cause for celebration that Korean-American Congressman Andy Kim was re-elected, and that four Korean-American lawmakers, including Marilyn Strickland, were elected," adding, "We will meet with them to discuss mutual interests between the Korean and U.S. legislatures."

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