Sung Kim: "Ready to Meet North Korean Negotiators Anywhere... Discussing Possibility of Humanitarian Aid" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Sung Kim, the U.S. Special Representative for North Korea at the State Department, who met with Noh Kyu-duk, Head of the Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiation Headquarters, discussed the possibility of humanitarian aid to North Korea and urged North Korea to engage in dialogue, stating that he is ready to meet North Korea's negotiating counterparts anywhere.

After concluding the senior-level talks on North Korea's nuclear issues with Head Noh at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' diplomatic mission on the morning of the 23rd, Representative Kim told reporters, "I remain ready to meet North Korea's negotiating counterparts anytime and anywhere."

During the talks, not only the possibility of dialogue with North Korea but also humanitarian consultations regarding North Korea were discussed. Representative Kim said, "We discussed the possibility of humanitarian aid to North Korea," adding, "As stated in the joint statement of the May U.S.-South Korea summit, we reaffirmed U.S. support for inter-Korean dialogue and engagement and will continue to support inter-Korean humanitarian cooperation projects."

Regarding the recent criticism by North Korea of the joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, he said, "They are regular and purely defensive in nature, sustaining the security of both the U.S. and South Korea."

Head Noh also stated, "The two countries discussed humanitarian cooperation measures with North Korea in feasible areas such as health and infectious disease prevention, drinking water, and sanitation, as well as humanitarian aid to North Korea through international organizations and non-governmental organizations." He added, "While closely monitoring related situations such as the restoration of inter-Korean communication lines and the conduct of joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, we agreed to work together to manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula stably and to ensure that dialogue can be resumed promptly."

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