May Summit Between South Korea and the U.S. Proposed: "Consensus Reached, Bilateral Consultations Underway"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] In response to rumors about the early holding of the South Korea-US summit, the Blue House stated on the 13th that "there is nothing to confirm," but also said that "we are in agreement and in consultation." With expectations that the summit will be held in May, attention is focused on how discussions on the 'Korean Peninsula peace process' will proceed during the first meeting between President Moon Jae-in and US President Joe Biden.

Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, said on the same day, "As already announced, the South Korea-US summit is being discussed under the consensus to hold it early, and consultations between the two countries are ongoing." Regarding reports that the schedule is set for mid-May and discussions are underway, he said, "There is nothing to confirm," neither affirming nor denying the reports.

The early holding theory of the South Korea-US summit has been raised since the beginning of this month. With the US-Japan summit date set for the 16th of this month, there has been speculation that the South Korea-US leaders could also have a face-to-face meeting before the Group of Seven (G7) summit. The two leaders formed a consensus during their first phone call in February to hold a summit "once the COVID-19 situation settles."

In particular, the South Korean government has been pushing for a summit this month, when the Biden administration's review of North Korea policy is expected to conclude, to restart the Korean Peninsula peace process. On the 2nd (local time), Suh Hoon, Director of the National Security Office, met with Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, in the US to discuss the summit and agreed on holding an early meeting. However, the timing of the summit seems to have been somewhat delayed due to the COVID-19 situation and the US side's ongoing review of North Korea policy. Experts expect that President Moon will discuss not only bilateral and global issues but also the resumption of North Korea-US talks, which is central to the Korean Peninsula peace process.

Yang Moo-jin, professor at the University of North Korean Studies, said, "President Moon will emphasize to President Biden the need to resume North Korea-US talks as soon as possible to advance the Korean Peninsula peace process." Shin Beom-chul, director of the Center for Foreign Policy and Security at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, analyzed, "There will be discussions related to North Korea policy, but it seems that the US policy on North Korea, which already reflects our side's opinions, has been somewhat finalized."

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