Lee In-young "Let's Promote Visits to Geumgangsan and Reunions of Separated Families"… Sung Kim "Cooperating with Korean Ideas"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Minister of Unification Lee In-young, who met with Special Representative for North Korea Affairs Sung Kim, proposed that South Korea and the United States jointly promote initiatives such as visits to Mount Kumgang and reunions of separated families, saying, "Let's actively work to resume talks with North Korea as soon as possible." In response, Representative Kim positively replied, "I want to cooperate with the ideas of the Korean government."

On the morning of the 22nd, Minister Lee stated in the reception room of the Ministry of Unification, "(Regarding North Korea) it is a time when South Korea and the U.S. need to act more actively and swiftly through close agreement to promptly resume dialogue."

Minister Lee suggested, "Cooperation in areas such as COVID-19 prevention, food security, reunions of separated families, visits to Mount Kumgang, and climate change, which our government is considering, are tasks that South Korea and the U.S. can closely collaborate on and jointly pursue. These cooperative processes could be a practical approach to encourage North Korea to respond at the dialogue table."

Minister Lee emphasized, "We hope the Biden process will bear fruit with a bolder and more pragmatic approach to North Korea than any previous government. We also expect North Korea to come to the table for dialogue and negotiation soon. There is a very beneficial possibility for the North as well."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Representative Kim said, "As President Biden mentioned at the summit, the U.S. strongly supports South Korea's meaningful inter-Korean dialogue, cooperation, and various engagement policies. We also want to closely cooperate when the Korean government presents various ideas in the future."

He added, "As you said, we are now at a very important moment to transition to a dialogue phase. We hope North Korea will respond quite positively to our dialogue proposals."

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