In Kim Yo-jong's Statement... Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Inter-Korean and North Korea-US Talks Must Resume Early"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed a principled stance of "early resumption of inter-Korean and North Korea-US talks" in response to Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers' Party, criticizing South Korea.

Choi Young-sam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 16th in response to related inquiries, "Our government’s position remains unchanged that inter-Korean and North Korea-US talks should be resumed early to make progress toward complete denuclearization and the establishment of a solid peace regime."

He added, "Our government plans to continue in-depth discussions on ways to advance the Korea Peninsula peace process between South Korea and the US on various occasions, including the upcoming visit of the US Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to Korea."

Currently visiting Japan, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will simultaneously visit South Korea on the 17th and 18th. This visit, occurring just two months after the inauguration of the Biden administration, is recognized by the government as demonstrating the importance of the South Korea-US alliance.

A Foreign Ministry official told reporters on the day, "Including South Korea as the first destination for the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense early in their terms reaffirms the importance and firmness of the South Korea-US alliance," adding, "Our government has high expectations and is preparing for successful outcomes."

Regarding predictions that the talks may include content such as "checking China," the official was cautious, saying, "As this is a ministerial-level consultative body, there will be various discussions from a strategic perspective."

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