Regarding the 'Abolition of the Korea-US Working Group'... Lee In-young Says "Need for a Process to Organize Consultation Channels"

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is going up to the podium to answer a lawmaker's question during the government-related questions on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 22nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Regarding the fact that South Korea and the United States have virtually agreed to abolish the Korea-US Working Group, Minister of Unification Lee In-young responded, "There may be a process of reorganizing consultation channels and pathways."

On the 22nd, during a government questioning session at the National Assembly, Minister Lee said, "There were negative aspects where the Working Group was misunderstood or mistaken as a channel for sanctions."

Minister Lee stated, "(Even if the Working Group is abolished) there will be no hindrance at all for South Korea and the United States to closely coordinate their opinions through various channels and multifaceted contacts and to establish a unified response and policy regarding the peace situation on the Korean Peninsula."

Earlier, Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, also stated at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee that the disappearance of the Working Group does not mean its suspension, and that the Korea-US comprehensive policy dialogue at the director-general level is an alternative.

Regarding Minister Lee's meeting with Special Representative for North Korea Affairs Sung Kim on the morning of the same day, he said that due to scheduling issues, they could not meet for long and "first shared their understanding of the situation."

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