Lee Do-hoon and Biegan North Korea Nuclear Chief Representatives Consult... Biegan: "The Past Two and a Half Years, A Journey of Leadership and Alliance" (Comprehensive)

"Moon Jae-in, Trump, Kim Jong-un Strive to Advance New Vision Without Being Bound by the Past"
Director Lee: "The Korean Peninsula Situation Faced Many Twists and Turns... Made Every Effort for Dialogue, Negotiation, Communication, and Coordination"
Discussion on Managing Korean Peninsula Situation and Maintaining Dialogue Momentum with North Korea During US Administration Transition Period

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Steven Biegun, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and Special Representative for North Korea, who began his visit to Korea with a vice ministerial meeting with Choi Jong-geon, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Lee Do-hoon, Director-General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, on the afternoon of the 9th to hold senior-level talks on North Korean nuclear issues. Director-General Lee has worked closely with Deputy Secretary Biegun for over two years since Biegun was appointed as Special Representative for North Korea in 2018.

Before entering the senior-level talks on North Korean nuclear issues held at 3 p.m. at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Doryeom-dong, Seoul, Director-General Lee recalled Biegun’s first visit to Korea after his appointment as Special Representative for North Korea, stating, “Looking back, the situation on the Korean Peninsula has been like a turbulent roller coaster.” He then mentioned two core principles, adding, “We decided to devote ourselves to resolving the Korean Peninsula issue solely through dialogue and negotiations, and our two teams have worked as one through constant communication and smooth coordination.”

In response, Deputy Secretary Biegun evaluated the past two and a half years as a journey of leadership, two alliances, and friendship, saying, “President Moon Jae-in, President Trump, and Chairman Kim Jong-un had the will not to be bound by past actions and worked to advance a completely new vision among the leaders.” He added, “Although that vision has not been completed, it was a journey of alliance.”

He continued, “The two countries have worked to advance peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to create a new future for North Korea’s stability, prosperity, and its people,” adding, “We shared moments of success when we made breakthroughs after countless late-night calls and trips around the world, as well as moments of frustration when those efforts collapsed right before our eyes.”

Deputy Secretary Biegun also expressed, “I deeply thank Director-General Lee and the Korean people as Special Representative for North Korea,” and said, “I look forward to working together to lay the foundation for those who will come after us.” Addressing Director-General Lee, he said, “It has been a journey of friendship between you, me, and the negotiation teams of both countries,” and “You have been an excellent dialogue partner, and I trusted you every moment.”

It is known that during this consultation, both sides discussed ways to stably manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula during the U.S. administration transition and maintain momentum for dialogue with North Korea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs particularly evaluated that, based on close communication and cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. regarding Korean Peninsula issues, various efforts have been made to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of permanent peace as agreed upon by the leaders of South Korea, North Korea, and the U.S., contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, “Our government plans to continue close communication and cooperation with the U.S. side so that the goals of complete denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula can continue to make progress, based on the accumulated achievements and experiences.”

Deputy Secretary Biegun has been deeply involved in Korean Peninsula issues as the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea for over two years. Since his appointment as Special Representative in August 2018, he has played a role as a channel for South-North-U.S. dialogue, including the second North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi in February 2019. Even after his promotion to Deputy Secretary in December last year, he has continued to serve as Special Representative, showing enthusiasm to resume stalled North Korea-U.S. talks.

Deputy Secretary Biegun, who will complete his visit by the 11th, is scheduled to meet with Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, Park Jie-won, Director of the National Intelligence Service, and the Blue House’s diplomatic and security officials. It is expected that the focus of his visit will be on stable management of the Korean Peninsula situation during the U.S. administration transition rather than sending messages for breakthroughs in North Korea-U.S. negotiations during his meeting with Minister Lee. Unusually, he will also give a public lecture at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies on the 10th.

Minister Kang Kyung-wha plans to host a dinner to encourage Deputy Secretary Biegun and the U.S. delegation at the diplomatic mission in Hannam-dong on the 11th. Earlier, on the 9th, Director-General Lee will personally attend Deputy Secretary Biegun’s dinner, and on the 10th, Vice Minister Choi Jong-geon will do the same.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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