What Message Will Emerge from the South Korea-US North Korea Talks on the 23rd?

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] The governments of South Korea and the United States will hold consultations on North Korean denuclearization, humanitarian aid, and other North Korea-related issues on the 23rd. Attention is focused on what kind of message regarding North Korea will emerge from this consultation.

U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, is entering the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 22nd to meet with Lee In-young, Minister of Unification. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 22nd, Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, who oversees North Korea nuclear negotiations, returned to South Korea after two months for a 3-night, 4-day visit to discuss ways to resume dialogue with North Korea.

It is known that Representative Kim spent the weekend attending to personal matters, and on the morning of the 23rd, he will hold consultations in Seoul with Noh Kyu-duk, Director General for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the chief negotiators for North Korea nuclear issues from both countries.

Both sides are expected to share evaluations regarding North Korea's criticism of joint military exercises and focus on discussing measures to maintain a stable situation on the Korean Peninsula.

There is also interest in whether they will specifically discuss humanitarian aid measures for North Korea, such as COVID-19 vaccines, food, and flood recovery, to create an environment conducive to dialogue with North Korea.

As was the case during his visit in June, it is known that Representative Kim has no plans to contact North Korea this time as well.

During his visit, Representative Kim may also meet with senior officials from the Ministry of Unification and the Blue House. He is scheduled to leave South Korea on the 24th.

This visit by Representative Kim is notable as it takes place during the period of the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises.

Meanwhile, Igor Margulov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia and chief negotiator for North Korea nuclear issues, also arrived in South Korea on the 21st to discuss North Korea nuclear issues and others.

Deputy Minister Margulov plans to hold the 19th Korea-Russia Policy Consultations with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Yeo Seung-bae on the afternoon of the 23rd, discussing ways to enhance practical cooperation between the two countries.

Following that, on the morning of the 24th, he will discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula through consultations with Director General Noh as the chief negotiators for North Korea nuclear issues between Korea and Russia.

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